When You Have Something to Say

On plein air painting > As 2024 wraps up, I want to say thank you to everyone who is a part of our Plein Air Today community. You’ve shared your personal stories with us so we can in turn amplify them to other artists who are looking for inspiration and guidance on the journey.

This year, some of you dropped what you were doing to raise money and help in other ways when disasters struck. Many of you made new friends and connected with old ones at plein air festivals and events all over the world, including saying hello to me, Kelly Kane, and Eric Rhoads at the Plein Air Convention (PACE) in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Some reached out to us with your funny plein air painting stories of surprise wildlife encounters, unpredictable weather mishaps, and strange comments from passersby. And we had the pleasure of congratulating many of you on winning art competitions, including the monthly PleinAir Salon.

While we work to inspire you with this newsletter, PleinAir Magazine, Eric’s podcasts and Art School Live interviews, and countless other avenues, know that you also inspire us to keep doing this every day. Know that we believe in you as artists, whether art is your hobby or your profession. You have something to say, and it shows through your actions and your art, even if what shows on the canvas is something as simple as the fact that you love nature.

As the Editor of Plein Air Today, I communicate with hundreds of artists every year, and I’m constantly in awe of not only the caliber of paintings being created, but also the creative act itself, the perseverance you show and the love of the landscape that keeps you going back into the elements to do what you love. So thank you for following your path to create and express yourself through acts of beauty. I believe it makes the world a better place, and we’re doing it together.

Now is a great time to reflect on your art life for the past year. In what ways do you want to grow next? Set a goal to take a workshop, attend an event, study with one of your favorite artists, or simply prioritize your painting time. I’ll share some helpful links here to get your gears turning.

Ideas for Art Goals: Helpful Links for Plein Air Painting and More

1. Take an art workshop (You’ll find our 2025 Ultimate Guide to Painting Events and Organizations here).

2. Attend a painting event such as the Plein Air Convention & Expo, or PleinAir Live if you can’t join us in person.

3. Learn from a favorite artist. We have more than 700 step-by-step art video workshops available at PaintTube.tv, where you can learn from home and at your own pace.

4. On a budget right now? We understand. Take a free dive into the library of the PleinAir Podcast or Art School Live, and then invest in your art education when you’re able.

Other ideas are to try a new medium or subject matter, complete a specific number of works (even if it’s one), or focus on a “basics” element such as values or composition. When it comes to prioritizing your time for art, be firm but flexible. My pro tip is to be discerning because only you know your schedule and availability. Every Sunday, for example, look at your week and block out periods of time that you can reserve for creativity, and then protect it. That includes turning off your phone. 😉

Please share your 2025 art goals with us in the comments section of this post so we can cheer you on!

Yours in art,
Cherie Dawn