Sun-up to Sun-down - 43 Paintings Later

We did it. Yippee!!
Starting on Friday morning, July 29, artists Coni Grant, Susan McCullough and Peggy Immel were out on Kit Carson Rd. in Taos - about 5:45 to catch the very first rays of the sun- and a beautiful little crescent moon that hung over the distinctive adobes of Taos.
After that it was a painting an hour until dark. That means up to 15 plein air pieces in one day, from each painter - created one right after the other.
At the top are all of our finished pieces - taking in the entire stretch of Kit Carson Road.
Below, Sue paints at the Couse Museum. Later in the day each of us had to take cover from a crazy and violent rain storm but we painted on - under what ever cover we could find.
At one point in the afternoon two local musicians filled the sidewalk with great music.
In the end - a job well done; and YES it was a  marathon.
Special "THANK"s to Peggy Immel and to Steve Immel, and to Rob Wilder of Wilder Nightingale Gallery.

The unframed, 6" x 8" pieces are on sale at
Wilder Nightingale Fine Art Gallery,  on Kit Carson Road in Taos, NM.

Sun-up to Sun-down - Plein Air Event in Taos

Friday, July 29, artists Coni Grant, Susan McCullough and Peggy Immel will paint one painting every hour from dawn to dark along the famous Kit Carson Road in Toas.
That means up to 15 plein air pieces in one day, from each painter - created one right after the other.
It will be a marathon, for sure.

The unframed, 6" x 8" pieces will be on sale at Wilder Nightingale Fine Art on Kit Carson - immediately on Friday -
and all day on Saturday, July 30th.  The artist's will also be in
Wilder Nightingale Fine Art Gallery,  all day on Saturday.

Class Notes on Summer Plein Air

 We are enjoying one of our most beautiful summers here in Alamosa, Colorado and tho' I paint- out all year around - there is something very special in these few short weeks when all my classes go out -
into the brief, but beautiful summer.

Last Tuesday evening at the marsh in Alamosa we faced Mt. Blanca with our backs to the setting sun, but the sky was a continual light show of color and drama- all reflected in the marsh that surrounded us. Blanca lit up with evening alpenglow and, finally the full moon rose up - huge and really glorious.
It was awesome and I think everyone went home feeling grateful to have been there!
If you have been thinking of getting out to paint en plein air this summer- catch us on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30pm,
or on Thursday Mornings from 9am to noon.
Our schedule is always posted here on the blog with directions to the painting location.
Snatch a few days, or evenings of Summer as they fly by; You won't regret it.

The Tuesday Night Plein Air Show

Colorado summer means fabulous sunsets. In Painting Class last Tuesday evening we enjoyed an especially stunning progression from afternoon to night.
After painting on the river we stood around until 10 - just enjoying the beautiful evening.
If you opted to stay home - you REALLY missed it.
The paintings here are my take on the last 2 weeks of class and the photo shows painters waiting for the setting sun to break through the clouds after a brief shower.

A couple of Tips for painting sunsets:
     >The BEST color in a sunset happens AFTER the 'sun-ball' has dropped below the horizon. So- while the sun is high, use the time to lay in a simple foreground and by the time the sun drops - the landscape part of the painting should be DONE - or at least roughed-in. 

     >Good cloud shapes make good sunset drama. During the winter we practice sunsets in class but there is no substitute for actually observing the movement of clouds to anticipate how cloud shapes will develop in the great outdoors.
In one evening a hundred sunsets can pass by - you only have to paint ONE.
     >Don't let early evening weather discourage you. The BEST sunsets come after a rain and clouds are what make it.
Our summer Plein Air Class has learned that rain at 6:30pm can lead to an evening of beautiful sunsets at 7:30.  Patience is key. 

PLein Air TOYS from Josh Been

Last Friday, my daughter and I had a chance to stop in Salida Colorado and visit Virtuosity Gallery, the working studio of Joshua Been - noted Colorado painter.
I love visiting Josh and sending my students up to Salida to see an awesome painter, working every day to make it happen.
When he is not traveling, Josh is in the gallery painting, engaging customers - and everyone is a friend.
I enjoy seeing what is on the easel and swapping plein air stories; and both of my kids think he's the bomb.
 Josh is always thinking out beyond his own easel, designing and creating products for plein air painters that really perform.
He would not let me leave with out toys to try out - " the last terps jar you will ever own";
and a trash bag that tells it like it is -"Toxic Waste".
Thanks Josh.  I will put them both to the test.
Visit Josh Been on-line or at his Virtuosity Gallery,  in Salida, Colorado.

Plein Air Classes

So what is Plein Air? - and what's the big deal?
It is "being there" - painting in the landscape as weather and "life" moves and morphs, and changes all around you. It can be a painter's greatest challenge and greatest joy - and it just does not get any better than plein air painting in Colorado.
At this time of year my classes head outside to catch precious moments of summer en plein air. These days will fly by and before they do I want to enjoy as much time as possible painting OUT, and encouraging my students to do the same.
On any day, we can have brilliant skies and torrential rain, and on any evening summer sunsets that last late into the evening.

Join us this summer starting Tuesday Evening, June 21st, 6:30 - 9:30pm;
and Thursday Morning, June 23rd, 9am to noon.
Every student will receive personal instruction.

Register for this 8 week painting session at Alamosa Family Recreation Center- 587-2105,  or contact me through my website at www.ConiGrant.com.
The first week we will be meet at the Alamosa Family Recreation Center  and I will have painting schedules so everyone knows where to meet- in and around Alamosa in the following weeks.
If you are passing thru Alamosa in your travels- we welcome drop-in painters who would like to paint with a group, on either Tuesday evening or Thursday morning. This requires a small drop-in Fee.

2016 Santa Fe Plein Air Festival

. . . And I am going to be there;
all week - painting the 'Enchanted Landscape' -
actually, all over New Mexico,  with about 40 other juried artists - painting en plein air.  We will be in Santa Fe, along the High Road,
at Ghost Ranch, Abiquii and Chimayo - these great spots are all on the agenda.
The show will feature almost 100 plein air landscapes painted during the week and awards will also be given.
I hope you will join us Thursday evening, June 9th,  5-7 pm
at   InArt Gallery,  219 Delgado Street
for the Opening Reception of this show - in beautiful Santa Fe.

Success in Creede

Beautiful weather in Creede and
artists gathered in the street Sunday morning with high hopes - myself included.
By 2 pm the Quick Draw was over and the auction begun. These folks from Nebraska purchased my painting of North Clear Creek Falls for their mountain home.

It is always a pleasure.

Thanks to Steve and Marta Quiller, and the good people of Creede, Colorado who do so much to make this a really great party - for artists and buyers.

Taste of Creede Memorial Day Sunday

In Colorado we live for the summer,  and it all starts this weekend with
Taste of Creede.

Historic and iconic - Creede is one of Colorado's most colorful high country destinations and the Taste of Creede  on Memorial Day weekend features Silver Chef Competition, live music, vendors, and the  National Small Print Show opening and reception at Creede Repertory Theatre on Saturday at 4pm.  All well worth the beautiful drive into the mountains.

On Sunday,   Stephen Quiller (internationally known artist and writer) hosts the main attraction - Artist's Quick Draw- Sunday at 1 pm where top artists from several states gather to paint fast and furious - for 1 hour.  Sharing the space with models and on lookers, there is always a lot of jostling, elbow throwing and general good fun - for artists, as well as viewers.
The auction immediately following,  gives viewers the chance to bid on work done by top artists.

Have a great holiday - hope to see you in the mountains.

Looking Ahead

Summer is JUST around the corner- or should I say - just around the next snow storm. We have had a couple of "nice" days here in the high country but I KNOW there is at least one snow still out there because my irises are just beginning to bloom.  Sigh. . . . .
Painting students are getting restless for the great outdoors and all my classes will go OUTside at the end of June - Yay!
Join us on Tuesday Evening, June 21st,  and- or
Thursday Morning 
June 23rd at the Alamosa Family Rec Center. Call 719-589-2107 to register for 8 weeks of plein air painting.

In the meantime- I am looking ahead to my summer - starting with Taste of Creede -Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 & 29.
Artists gather from all around the country to join world renown painter - Stephen Quiller in historic Creede, CO. Sunday's main event is the Artist's Quick Draw at 1pm - with a live auction immediately following.  Last year my buyer came all the way from Westminster, CO to be at this party.

2016 Santa Fe Plein Air Festival is next in June, and Susan McCullough and I will paint for a week in New Mexico with plein air painters from all over.  This is a juried event - so the show should be awesome and will open Thursday, June 9th at 5pm
InArt Gallery, 219 Delgado St in Santa Fe, NM.

Sun UP to Sun DOWN- Plein air Painting in Taos, NM - 
All day painting on July 29 and All day Show on July 30th at Wilder Nightingale Fine Art.
This special event will feature Myself, Susan McCullough, and Peggy Immel,  all painting from dawn to dusk, on Kit Carson Road in front of Wilder Nightingale Fine Art in Taos, NM. Come on Friday to watch, come back for the show on Saturday. All work will be for sale.

Summer Workshops
I will be teaching 2 one-Day Workshops this summer:
Wednesday, August 17th at the Art Center in Estes Park, CO.  
Call 970-586-5882
and  
Friday, August 19th at Fare Bella Gallery in Manitou Springs, CO  
Call 720-226- 4315

Classes and workshops are a good way to inspire your painting and make the most of the summer season.  Get OUT there!  -  and I hope to see you at one of these events.