Between The Bluffs
Plein 2013 4th and Main 11x14
watercolor, acrylic finish
Between The Bluffs Plein 2013 BitterSweet 11x14 watercolor, acrylic finish
After returning from that
great kayak adventure, I started prep for this Between the Bluffs
Plein Air Event (Plein Air is a French term meaning ‘outdoors or open
air). For those not familiar with La Crosse, we are
located on the Mississippi River, between the Minnesota and Wisconsin bluffs.
The
idea of this first ever contest here in the Coulee Region was to paint within
10 miles of La Crosse at an outside location.
Sooo, I got excited and really want to do this, paid the entry fee and
got my name on the list. For one reason,
it has been in my mind to “do Downtown” again and was glad for the incentive. Secondly, I thought I could do as well as the
rest. I put the pressure on me, got uptight,
and could not do anything. Three
different folks told me to just enjoy the
plein air painting …three said
enjoy. So, by the third day, Wednesday,
I was able to enjoy and painted all of these shown here.
Then,
Thursday was Quick Paint Day…to be finished in two hours. At the awards immediately following, it was
obvious to me that I was out of my element.
… My completion was seasoned plein air oil painters . My
work looked more like an unfinished, ill-conceived sketch.
So
I go then Artist’s Exhibit, Reception
And Sale on Saturday evening, feeling very much
humbled by the whole experience, determined to learn more and paint
better. Knowing we artists ‘are in process’. I walk in the door to find one of my efforts
had sold….the first sale of the evening.
Then later the other two sold.
Folks made positive comments. So now I am happy. What is it all about?
Between The Bluffs Plein Air Event The La Crosse Arts Initiative
I
learned some things from Ken DeWaard, watching him paint on location, for which
I am grateful.
1 comment:
Hi Ellen, Went to the gallery to view the plein air paintings. Loved the freshness of your watercolors. Great work.
Deloras Vind
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