New to Plein Eire? Introduce yourself...(thread for introductions only)

[Plein Eire Administrator]

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Hi, Plein Eire Administrator will be a rotating role. It is not intended to be mysterious or sinister but it won't be personalised for that reason. Think R2D2 or Robbie the Robot, not Hal. There are several members with Administrator status, so queries should be dealt with promptly.

Enjoy the site.

[Elaine Hurst]

Hello. I am an oil and pastel painter, from the United States. I paint plein air as much as I can, and have a goal of painting in Ireland sometime. I don't want to go with a tour, but would rather get out into the country and paint. So, I am armchair-traveling right now through this site. I painted in England last summer, with some English artist friends of mine, and I worked out some of the problems with traveling with painting supplies. Anyone wanting to come to the states and paint, let me know, as we live is a beautiful part of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

[Tony Robinson]

I put down my brushes 25 years ago to work in framing and art retail and have only found them again in latter years. And very glad I did.
Always keen to get outside with a paintbox and on life-drawing, I don't do much in the studio. Though hooked on drawing and oil painting, I still find excuses not to start. Joining a regular group with friends eliminates most of those and helps me get the most out of it. Being involved with South East Plein Air, I hope this Plein Eire site encourages similar groups elsewhere.

[Michael McGuire]

I've painted part-time most of my life, but a day-job as a structural engineer and laterally as a senior manager in a large public sector organisation got in the way. With splendid timing, I bit the bullet some three years ago and quit my job to paint full-time, neatly coinciding with the start of the worst recession in living memory!

I've always been very drawn to the work of the French impressionists, particularly that of Claude Monet, but it was really a couple of workshops with Californian artist, Susan Sarback, about 4-5 years ago that got me into working outdoors. I now work mostly plein air, and when working in the studio always use plein air sketches for reference purposes.

My painting goals are quite simple. I just want to convey to the viewer what excited me about the scene. That is not merely copying what I see (impossible anyway), but deciding on what elements of the scene are important and which are not, and then pushing the differences between the main masses in the scene as necessary to convey my "experience". I'm particularly interested in how the human eye perceives colour (hue) changes in 3D objects and how that varies with atmospheric conditions. Observing such things is only possible through working on location, because vision is a uniquely human experience and cannot be captured by the camera. Hence, my main reason for working plein air. But it is great also to get the chance to work with and learn from a varied group of artists with a diverse range of painting goals (SEPA).

I'm a firm believer in the fact that any subject matter can make a great painting, particularly if what really interests you is how the human eye perceives light. After all, Claude Monet's series of haystack paintings probably ranks up there as some of his best work - not exactly picture postcard material! It's not what you paint that matters, it's ultimately how you paint and your own "signature" style that makes it all worth while.

[Tom J. Byrne]

Hi
Great to be on the site and to have found this group.
My name is Tom J. Byrne. I'm an Irish painter based in Paris and the south of France. It sounds nice doesn't it. I've never worked as hard in my life.

I love to paint pleine air. It's really the most satisfying of things for me. I also paint portraits and nudes.

If anyone is interested there is a life drawing exhibition in the United Arts Club next week. 11th of March at 7pm. The address is 3 fitzwilliam street upr D.2

Might see you there as I am visiting Ireland to take part in the exhibition and deliver some paintings to collectors.

regards
Tom

[Elaine Hurst]

Welcome, Tom. I am not Irish, nor in Ireland, but it has been top of my list to go to, and be able to paint in for many years. I'm an American, in the US, and paint plein air as much as possible. The South of France does sound wonderful!

Tom J. Byrne said:

Hi
Great to be on the site and to have found this group.
My name is Tom J. Byrne. I'm an Irish painter based in Paris and the south of France. It sounds nice doesn't it. I've never worked as hard in my life.

I love to paint pleine air. It's really the most satisfying of things for me. I also paint portraits and nudes.

If anyone is interested there is a life drawing exhibition in the United Arts Club next week. 11th of March at 7pm. The address is 3 fitzwilliam street upr D.2

Might see you there as I am visiting Ireland to take part in the exhibition and deliver some paintings to collectors.

regards
Tom

[Karmyl Hegarty]

Hi
I'm a watercolour fan and I especially like Georgia O'Keeffe's work. I haven't undertaken a specific 'watercolour course' yet but would like to specialise in watercolours at some stage.

I also enjoy drawing the portrait and figure in charcoal and attend workshops regularly in Dublin.

I have been working full-time in an admin area, travelling abroad to meetings etc., so I've just recently had the luxury of enjoying art, drawing and painting. I hope I will get to know many artists and mentors on this site and I look forward to lively interaction with kindred spirits!!
Best Wishes,
Karmyl

[Sally Downey]

Hello,its exciting to be part of Plein Eire. I paint in oils, alkyds actually and have been painting for several years now. I love the idea of plein air painting but am basically lazy about getting my things together and setting off. When I do I always find it a very enjoyable and memorable experience. However, the results are nearly always disappointing. That's why I am so pleased to have found your site . It will help me to break out of my comfort zone and work towards my goal of becoming comfortable with plein air painting.

[Elaine Hurst]

Welcome all! I so enjoy this site. The people have been very warm and welcoming.

[Sean Quinn]

I've just joined and am hugely impressed with the site.   Last september not knowing about this site,  in a remarkable coincidence I put an amaturish website made by myself  with the same aims of Plein Air painting online under the banner Art through fellowship-Fellowship through art and didn't get a single member and I don't want any members.   The website as a curiosity is DublinArtClub.eu.  There's no way on it to join or make contact with me.  The idea is now defunct never having been funct in the first place.   I'm interested in website design and enjoyed getting the flowing effect of the water in the still pictures, so it was more of an exercise than a serious attempt  .  I'm looking forward to participating in Plein Eire , getting outdoors and meeting fellow members.

[Anne Brady]

I am very new to Pleine Eire and came accross this site safter the Virgina Paint out on the May bank holiday.  I have to say it has been an eye opener and has given me a big push to get out there and paint.   I have been a part time and some times non existant painter for the last too many years to admit but full time work and family committments always seem to be the order of the day.  Just before the boom went bust we sold up in Dublin and moved to Cavan.  It took a while but eventually I have arrived and now paint more than I have ever done.  I love colour light and movement.  I do paint in the studio but must admit getting out there really does change your perspective and the urgency of your paintings.  I am really enjoying the constant challenges and being out there!  Oh how I love to paint.

 

[Rosa Olivero]

Hi Everybody, 

It is great to share with the Plein Eire members from different countries, the experience of painting outside. I am from Spain, a nice place to live and paint, but Ireland has captured my heart and has given me an international perspective on Plein Air painting. 

I paint in watercolour and teach Art in Secondary School. The experience of being in Ireland and painting in the Annual Art in the Open Festival in Wexford and with artist in Dublin has made me grow as a teacher. 

Meeting and working with other artist, has influenced how I work as a teacher and has helped me to understand  my students better. I am more aware of different processes of working and results.

So finally that artistic experience has left a positive imprint on my work.