Art in the Open 2015

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Comment by Dot Courson on August 9, 2015 at 15:52

Well said, Louise. We creatives all love the "buzz and energy" of it and will somehow find a way to band together. 

Comment by Louise Treacy on August 9, 2015 at 8:56

I can also see that happen here. I believe the retreat for pros will be the way things will go.
The Berlin Brandenberg event run by German artist Marko Fenske has this feeling and ethos, I attended last year and this year and found my work flourished in that atmosphere, with a small group of like minded artists. Wonderful.

Comment by Louise Treacy on August 9, 2015 at 8:50

Hi Dot yes I think a lot of the professional painters are now giving the US Plein air competition circuit a miss.
It's so expensive to travel and pay for accommodation frames, etc at some of the venues.
Also some shows are too short, if extended and the work doesn't sell, they have the additional cost of shipping their work back home.
As you outlined the payback is minimal and just doesn't make financial sense to the professional artist, unless it's tied in with a nice vacation they intend to take anyway.
Was just discussing this subject with a painter friend and came to the conclusion that the money would possibly be better spent doing a really good workshop with someone like Marc Hanson, rather than chasing round after prizes ( unless it's a big cheque) and ribbons which fade very quickly.
I do love the buzz and energy of an event, the juried ones are very "managed" and fantastic for the chosen artists as the focus is totally on the artists needs which is wonderful.

Comment by Dot Courson on July 30, 2015 at 23:14

Kevin  I think that the expense of travel and lack of sales make the American plein air shows and invitationals less desirable. I do not mind local but it's expensive to travel.
With exception to the wonderful Art in the Open in Ireland, the farthest I've been in the US was when invited to the Richmond Plein Air event which was >800 miles away and I painted for a week to sell 2 paintings made where heat advisories were in effect and it was miserably hot. Was honored but overall it's got to have pay off --and more and more the "labor of love" aspect is waning for many!

 I helped plan and put on a little plein air event with over 50 people in Jackson, MS (Fondren en plein Air) this year and it was fun but mostly artists from MS, AL, LA and TN who love to paint and it was great to meet and socialize. So there are many artists who will still make the trek to be a part of a show and juried event just for the opportunity to paint and compete and socialize if they don't have to travel too far.

But everyone loves to travel some: I just returned from a trip to Maine by invitation of Roger Dale Brown and wife Beverly Ford Evans with a group of friends where we all stayed in a house we rented and painted and enjoyed visiting with artist friends from all over the US who flew in just for the weather, scenery and material gathering for future paintings, etc . Roger had a show there and also a workshop. Roger said that he was definitely cutting back on plein air events for some of the reasons Steve listed in his article--and as many of the artists said in comments on his post...

It seems that plein air events here are more attractive to artists who are just starting out or as many said, those seeking workshops or representation. Personally, I did not apply to any this year myself because my time was better spent painting on my own. So it boils down to a matter of economics and I foresee smaller "artist retreats" being more prevalent here in the future for the more established artists.  

Comment by Plein Eire Administrator on July 26, 2015 at 11:04

On the eve of the 8th Art in the Open Festival, an article arguing the demise of plein air festival in the USA; https://pleinairstories.wordpress.com/2015/07/25/the-end-game-of-pl...

We are constantly re-evaluating this event, which is clearly very different from the typical American model. Could they learn anything new from events in Europe, and can we learn about possible pitfalls from the American experience?

Comment by Bernadette bradley on July 21, 2015 at 20:25

Going solo at late notice ah well it the solitary nature of our craft most of the hours!

Comment by Tony Robinson on April 3, 2015 at 18:41

Weather? what weather? The year is shaping up pretty well so far. If half as good as last year we'll be alright. You will have a good time anyway. Look forward to meeting you, Julian, and anyone else travelling over for AITO will get a warm welcome.

Comment by Julian Lovegrove on April 3, 2015 at 13:16

I'm all signed up! Can't wait as this is my first year at AITO.

I hope someone's praying for good weather.

Comment by Jean English on March 18, 2015 at 8:51

I've booked and can't wait!... it will be my 3rd year going... great buzz there

Comment by Dot Courson on March 13, 2015 at 3:14

Thanks, Tony. Will be headed to Maine this year to meet up with a group of artist friends from around the south staying on the coast near Port Clyde. And yes, hopefully next year I will get to return to my Irish roots. Great event there in Wexford....absolutely world class and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a fun time with a lovely group of instant friends and great atmosphere and scenery. I say God made Ireland to be painted! It's beautiful. 

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