Plein Air Washington

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Comment by Gregg Caudell on October 6, 2009 at 7:59pm

had a great time with the PAWa folks on their annual Mazama plein air retreat. great not to have show stuff to hastle with. Just good people, good food and awesome place to paint. Thanks everyone, especially madame Presidente', Sylvia. Yowza!

Comment by Denise Champion on October 5, 2009 at 7:29pm

Ditto, love to meet some more of you. I'm at studio #33, and showing plein air paintings from all over.
Last weekend was great and I'm sure this one will be too.
Denise

Comment by Joy S. Olney on October 5, 2009 at 5:09pm

Hi to all, I just want to extend an invitation to all in the Northwest Plein Air of Washington group from The Whatcom Artist Studio Tour to come on up or down and visit our open studios this coming Weekend Oct.10th & 11th. Please take a look at our site.www.studiotour.net. our 15th year.
It is so much fun to meet with other people and show where we paint and how we paint. Hope I get to meet some of you.
Joy

Comment by Kathryn Townsend on September 19, 2009 at 2:03pm

This was my first year at the Whidbey US Plein Air Open, so I have nothing to compare it to from past years. However it was a totally fun experience. Two things which I would appreciate: 1) the first morning at least and maybe all mornings have the stamping start at 7:30 rather than 9:00 am. 2) have the hospitality from 7 to 8:30 pm rather than 4:30 to 6:00 pm. We were out painting every day until at least 6 pm, early and late being the best times for die hard outdoor painters. The hosts don't need to feel they must provide food at that hour. Because we read the schedule wrong on the first day (my much regretted mistake) and because of the early timing for the subsequent hospitality events, we didn't make it to any of them.

Comment by Michele Cooper on September 19, 2009 at 12:41pm

I have participated in all the US Open Plein Air events on Whidbey, so this was number 4. It has always been well organized. Each time, it is obvious that efforts are made to improve. This year, I felt quite a few new changes were made to enhance the experience for the participating artists. Having hospitality each evening was such a generous thing to do. I am sure that those who traveled far were made to feel welcome and more at home. Experienced and beginning painters alike were deeply appreciative of the extra time and effort that the jurist spent in presenting a free demonstration after judging the show.

Although both my entries were chosen, I appreciated being able to pick up rejected work right away instead of an additional trip, or on the next day. Likewise, being able to pick up unsold work right after the sale.

Two things continue from the beginning to facilitate involvement: having the check-in center open each day (in case you need more surfaces stamped, restroom, email, etc.) and having beautiful, affordable frames available on submitting your work, with proper fitting hardware.

One has to read the prospectus diligently, however, to keep up with annual changes to the basics, like number of entries allowed, pricing rules, auction changes. It may have been the economy this year, but it seemed a lot fewer paintings sold. I wonder if the live auction was a distraction during the time allowed for patrons to browse the panels for the silent auction. I saw most people seated and gathered around the stage to enjoy the drama and empty aisles of artwork during the live auction. Human nature, I know. Not a lot of time afterwards to regenerate the impulse to purchase from the panels, though.

All in all, however, I always enjoy my experience painting en plein air, and particularly during this event. Kudos to the staff and volunteers for a spectacular effort!

Comment by Matt Dollahite on September 18, 2009 at 4:46pm

Would like to here from any of you who made it to the US OPEN on Whidbey Island. Good or bad.

Comment by Dianne Gardner on September 5, 2009 at 2:16pm

There will be a whole slew of PAWa painters in Methow Valley come October. We rent the lodge in Mazama every year. Send Sylvia a letter and look us up. I personally won't be going, but they'll be there.

Comment by Rich Davis on September 5, 2009 at 2:11pm

Hello--My goats and I paint here in the Methow Valley and am always looking for folks to paint with. Plein air painters are few and far between around this area. This is my painting partner Freeby, who is sure he can do as well as I can. Rich

Comment by Marilyn Timms on August 17, 2009 at 10:52pm

Super. I will keep in touch Joy and you are welcome here anytime

Comment by Joy S. Olney on August 14, 2009 at 6:43pm

Hi Marilyn,
That would be great. There are a couple of us here in Bellingham.
If you drive to here. One of us can drive south to the paint outs, so you won't have so much driving.
I would love to paint on Vancouver Island .
Thanks. Joy

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