2014 (2015) - so what's gonna be different?

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Dear Artist and Plein Eire member, I would like to wish you a very happy New Year. Whether your goal is to produce a plein air painting every week, to improve a specific skill like colour or drawing or to attend a painting course, now is the time to begin. Perhaps you plan to take a painting holiday, apply for a residency, treat yourself to some new piece of equipment, find a new gallery or simply make more painting sales, I hope 2014 is an inspirational 12 months for you. Like all resolutions, it starts with a plan because, without one, usually you won't get far. My daughter with some of her best friends has a 'Resolution Club' . They get together in January over a meal and a glass of wine to write down what they hope to lose or gain or make come true over the year ahead and the message then goes into a sealed envelope. Then they open up last years' wish-list. It is full of fun and banter and it works for them. I've already begun tidying and clearing out my workspace. There’s a fairly impressive stack of painting panels, freshly primed and I'm earmarking a couple of painting trips in a 2014 year-planner. If you haven't already started to make 2014 your best year, now is your chance to think over what you need to do. I hope you will post a reply to this '2014' forum about your specific goals which may give inspiration and encouragement to others. What do you hope to achieve in your art before the year is out? You can't be too specific. Vague aims never score a bullseye. We have over 700 members. Perhaps, what you have to propose for yourself will ring a bell with someone else or they with you if you are willing to share your thoughts. In the meantime, here is a little inspiration from Marc Hanson, one of my favourite American outdoor painters. He is challenging himself to produce 4 paintings per day for the month of  February. That is 112 paintings, rain or shine. You can see his video on the project here: Marc Hanson February 2014  and read his blog:  'Painting My Way through Life'.   By the way, as you may have noticed, Plein Eire website has a bit of spit and polish – well overdue, I might add. I hope you like the new look. Don't forget you can change the look of your personal page, add your bio and any other website address you may have and raise your scrolling images nearer to the top of the page. Details here

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Carpe diem, Valerie. And good to hear you are encouraging the next generation of Plein Eire members.

Norah, that is a good resolution. See you in July!

Best of luck with the course, Elizabeth. You're clever to finish up just as the weather gets lovely for painting outside - see, that's the benefits of a good education.

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Bit lazy reposting this, but the question and responses remain as challenging and insightful as last year...any thoughts?

[Valerie Syms Martin]

I'll be around more this year.  Knee surgery well and truly recovered from, and the kids busy with their partners.  Just need someone to feed the cats.  But I intend to take more mini breaks to paint in venues outside Dublin.  Preferably with painting buddies.  I really appreciate joining up with PVPE when they are within an easy drive.

This year I'll be in a position to  resume posting outings for the Dublin Group.  I'm thinking that the paint outs may be mid-week, in order to avoid clashing with BVPE events.  We often overlap, and some members have indicated that the middle of the week would suit them.

And God willing, I'll be at AITO this year.

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Great you're back in action. Glad to hear Dublin Plein Eire is going to pick up again. Need a little committee to share the burden of replacing John O'Flynn perhaps? Good luck.

[Norah Blount]

Mid-week would be great Valerie, and may suit a lot of the group.   Perhaps  others who are only free at weekends and want to get out painting could do the hosting for the odd weekend paint-out too.  It would also be great to have a few paint-outs mid-way between groups so giving an opportunity to meet up occasionally for those who cannot get to AITO. Really enjoyed the few days in Wexford last year but one piece of advice - book your accomodation early if you want to stay close to Wexford town.

[Plein Eire Administrator]

That's good advice!

[Patrick T Daly]

Patrick T Daly said:

This is a good idea.

1. Get the hundred or so paintings I have completed 'Framed'. And hanging in a nice space where people can see and enjoy them. Oh this is a big bug bear with me. I get so precious about handing them over to someone else. And the cost :-o. And then I go and try and do framing/mounting myself and always begin with great intentions but never quite get there. Why why why just not ' let go'. I've written this down so many times before. But maybe, just maybe 2014 will be the year of action. :-)

here they are: at least I've started sort of organising them.

2. Keep painting.

3. Go to AITO and have a really great time just like 2013.

I'l open this again next year. To all other PE members have a happy and productive 2014.

Pat

07.01.15 . Number 1 from this time last year still has'nt happened, maybe 2015 will be the year.

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Anyone planning a plein air trip or attending a workshop or an outdoor painting event anywhere, tell us about it at Plein Eire and why not add it to our 'Events' tab.

[Tom J. Byrne]

Hi Tony
Unfortunately I won't be able to get to Wexford this year.

The plan at the moment is to get a vibrant life drawing group going in Florence. That's started. Tomorrow is the first session. Anybody passing through is more than welcome to join in. Here's a facebook page with details.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Firenze-Florence-Life-Drawing/155928...

Together with two other artists I'm offering a luxury Plein Air holiday in Tuscany, this September. We've rented an amazing villa in the hills beside Florence. I'll post more details on that later.

Of course I plan to paint plein air as often as possible each week too.

If any painters are passing through Italy, it would be a pleasure to  meet up.

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Sounds good, Tom. Keep us posted on the holiday!!

[barbara craig]

My heart sinks when I see 'a painting a day challenge' and now 4 a day - well that's just showing off! I'm sure we would all love to achieve things like that, but surely 'life' tends to get in the way.

[Valerie Syms Martin]

Quantity is not the same as quality.