Blog

The Paint out was located in Paul Smith's College in the northern part of the Adirondack mountains of New York.  For weeks Eric Smith, the publisher of Plein Air Magazine had been sending information regarding lodging, food and supplies to bring.  The week before the event he sent a schedule and map listing all of the painting spots.   It was an extensive map with photos, directions, accessablity, everything that we would need.  Painters could either choose to go with a group or go off on their own.  Most participants did a mixture of both.

In the morning we would meet for breakfast, pack our lunches, and Eric would often address the group standing on a table and calling out "Good morning campers!"  Then it was off to paint.  The first couple of days Karen and I painted with the group going from one site to another.  Due to the rain we were unable to finish our paintings so we went on our own the last two days.  The Adirondacks are rural and then some.  Painting spots were often long distances away but part of the fun was driving down a roads and spotting painters all along the way.  I'm sure it was entertaining for the locals.

Karen Blackwood painting at St Regis Falls. 

After painting for the day we would return to the college for dinner and then one more painting session before dark.  The best part were the impromptu gatherings at night where artists would meet in the bar and place their paintings around the room.  What an experience to view great artwork of the same scene that everyone painted.  Artists were eager to talk with each other and share stories and techniques.  There was a feeling of giddyness to be around so many fellow plein air nerds.   That this was not a competition allowed the artists to relax and enjoy the experince for what it was, painting and sharing for the pure pleasure of painting and sharing.  What more could an aritst ask for?