Some will remember that Kim Lordier painted a demonstration last year at the Plein Air Convention & Expo (PACE) in Monterey, California. While she is a veteran of PACE and of demos, this year she gets a break from a formal demo — a welcome change for the California painter.
The pastelist’s career seems to be gaining more momentum, after a big year at the Dixon Country event and a solo show in Carmel, and now she will enjoy painting in Tucson this April — a great start for the 2016 plein air season. As a field painter at 2016 PACE, Lordier can paint a bit, walk around helping participants, talk about painting, and wander back to her easel to work further.
“Turquoise Seas,” by Kim Lordier, pastel, 20 x 24. Courtesy Knowlton Gallery, Lodi, California
“My favorite part of the Plein Air Conventions is the opportunity to talk shop with like-minded folks,” says Lordier. “The energy is exciting for new painters and experienced ones. The sharing of ideas is always beneficial, and making new friends is always a huge plus.”
“Being a field painter this year takes the performance pressure off. I’ve been fortunate to demonstrate on one stage or another at three of the four conventions. This will be my fifth time helping in the field. Last year I walked around to talk with folks who were set up painting, asking questions about their work and offering advice if asked. I had several painters contact me later saying how grateful they were for the opportunity to talk with someone with a little more experience. That felt pretty cool. I look forward to utilizing my time in that way at the upcoming PACE.”
Kim Lordier
But is a California girl upset about the convention moving out of the Golden State?
“I’m looking forward to Tucson being the new home of the 2016 Plein Air Convention!” she says. “Monterey was so very beautiful, but it will be fun to have a completely different climate and landscape in which to share with others.”
Lordier painting along the Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado River
The Plein Air Convention & Expo (PACE) is a five-day gathering of more than 800 plein air painters in a resort, with artists at the top of the field offering demos, lectures, and instruction. This year’s event will be held April 15-19 at El Conquistador Resort in Tucson. To see the faculty that is lined up for this year’s PACE, and to get more information, go here. As with previous years, the faculty will continue to expand through the winter, so check back often.
