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            As some of you might remember, recently I wrote that I am interested in trying out painting in the open air at the up and coming Plein Air Art Festival here in Bisbee. This idea of going into a public setting and painting among the general population, much less painting landscapes, is not my strength. But the opportunity is at hand. Now I am out of Alaska and am back in Arizona so the question is: Will I participate with the Plein Air Festival in two weeks?.
The answer is yet to come but I seem to be headed in a good direction! I have now applied for and paid my entrance fee. I am beginning to look at the landscape in terms of light and shadows, of colors and contrasts and of general composition. I need to get back into the swing of things here in Arizona so that I can get down to actually painting outside.. If I don’t have that experience before October 9th I am rather certain I won’t participate. So the emphasis must be to prepare and stay informed.
Here is a partial list of the schedule for the festival:
Plein Air Festival in Bisbee, AZÂ October 9-10, 2015
“Schedule of EventsÂ
Friday, October 9
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration and stamping of canvas at Bisbee Books & Music in the Convention Center. Artists can begin painting after canvases are stamped. Artists may paint anywhere in Old Bisbee.
7:00 p.m. Artist Reception at Central School Project
Saturday, October 10
 9:00 a.m. to noon Registration and canvas stamping continues at Bisbee Books & Music.
 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Artists set up paintings to be judged and to sell in Grassy Park. Artists must bring their own easels or stands for display of their work.
 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Paintings can be viewed and purchased by the public. Paintings must remain on easels until judging is completed. “
This list goes on a bit including the judging, live music, etc but you get the drift.
So now my TO-Do list looks something like this:
- Create Easels to withstand Bisbee wind and hold four works of art.
- Purchase 4-8 canvases
- Practice drawing/painting outside in the garden, down the street, in Old Bisbee etc
- Practice more
- Continue to practice
- Stay calm and remember I am having fun
There are already 47 other participants signed up but clearly I am trying to not think of this as a competition but as an opportunity of growth. More on all of this soon . . .