Wonderful Time in Ireland Winding Down
Ballymore Farm
Ballymore Farm
Louise
Louise
Plein Air Artists
Plein Air Artists
Connemara Painting 1
Connemara Painting 1
I had a great week doing the wonderful "Art in the Open" , Wexford,
Irelands annual Plein Air Festival the end of July and first part of
August. It is the largest in the world with over 200 artists from 16
countries. Saw old friends and made a bunch of new ones from all over.
I was a bit ill the first three days..I have a rare auto immune
Pancreatitus that acts up intermittently and getting up at 6 a.m. and
getting to bed at late hours did not help, but finally got a decent
nights rest and did my best paintings. I was thrilled to get two nice
awards..one in the main exhibit.."Ballymore Farm" shown above and one
in the "Quick Draw", a drawing of my great Artist friend, "Louise"
shown above. And on top of that..they both sold to two very good
collectors from Dublin and Belfast! Certainly, keeps wind in the sails
and particularly when I was trying some new things! I decided to do a
drawing for the quick draw as that is how it originated in a Northwest
Rondevous Group show about 35 years ago that I belong to. That is
another story that I will tell later. I had done the same thing in a
Plein Air Event in Washington last year and got First place and had
four people wanted to buy it..so of course I would want to do it
again..and at least glad we had judges that appreciate the skill and
importance of good drawing. My painting of the tractor and farmyard was
special as I finally was feeling better and as an Artist I am always
looking for that special setting that I can really get excited
about..and also something challenging. When I saw this scene, I already
knew I would get a great painting out of it..and that just does not
happen that often when we are out looking for something to paint. I was
glad that I talked Karen into getting up there early to catch that
early warm morning light! Kind of hated to sell it..but I will do more
as I still have some bills to pay! I spent one whole day, just drawing
the Artists painting at Tintern Abbey..had a lot of fun and did four of
them that day and I thought that this was the best one. Love to draw
Artists with all their unique outfits and paraphenalia that I can use
as design elements...a lot of fun! The last image is from last weeks
painting trip to the Connemara country, in the west of Ireland, and one
of our favorite places to go and paint and hike a little. It was the
last one we did before having to head home, and also my best as it was
a situation where there were no great "scenic" locations and we just
happened to stop and take some pictures of some Connemara Ponies and I
saw this fascinating arrangement of shapes and colors and again had
that feeling that I would get another great painting...and I did! I
only had time too pretty much block in the major color and shape
relationships and it is certainly not a painting for everyones
taste...but I am excited about it and will either touch it up a bit or
repaint it again. The Connemara is really a magical place...we joined
up with about 15 other Artists who were also in the Plein Air Show, and
they were able to stay a whole week..but I had a Portrait Drawing
Workshop to teach and so reluctantly we had to leave early. A great
bunch of Artists to hang out with..share stories and make new plans. I
am teaching another workshop in Kilrush, County Clare next week and
that is not too far from the Connemara and weather permitting we will
take a few extra days to paint there again. It has been a busy and
wonderful Summer here in Ireland and hate to leave again..but Karen
will join me at home the middle of September and be able to join me at
the second "Yellowstone Park Forever" Plein Air event the end of
September and one in Cape Ann in Massachusetts the first part of
October..plenty of beautiful Fall color in both locations.. a bit
cooler..last year in Yellowstone it got down to around 25 one morning
where I was painting..invigorating, but the hands get a bit numb at
times! They take great care of the Artists at these two shows..put us
up, feed us often and get praised all over the place! Some of the very
best Plein Air Artists in both of these shows and so is an honor to be
part of them.
I do want to remind people that we have started our new "Artist
Buddies" Facebook group and have a good number of signups already. It
really is a great deal..probably too great.. as members are getting
access to a lot of instruction videos, discussions, and critiques for
only $10 a month...I wish I could have had access like that when I was
starting out..and even now! I'm told I am giving out way too much for
so little...but I do love to teach and share...I was given a
scholarship at Art Center School of Design in Los Angeles..one of the
very best in the country and I really am grateful and have wanted to
give others something like that back, that was so important to my
career! Even if you sign up for a month you can see all the videos that
I have already posted and you also get a 20% discount on purchases of
drawings and paintings on my website! The price goes up to $30 in two
months and will have more extensive instruction videos and
discussions..thinking of having a sort of tier system that people can
pay various amounts for different access. You can access the link n my
website..end of the listing on top that says "Artist Buddies" or use
this link if you can: t.ly/
https://bit.ly/2Mdu5vB Thanks for your
time..let me know if you want me to cover anything special in my
newsletter and let me know if you seem to enjoy it or not! Hope your
Summer has gone well and you had a chance to get out and see this
beautiful world that we live in. All my best, Ned
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