Adirondack Adventure: day 2

Up at 5:21am this morning. We have decided to not go to The Vic Center this morning. Both painting groups are going there. Then they break up and one group is going to High Falls Park. I didn't go to this spot last year because every time a waterfall was mentioned, slipping and falling and blood was mentioned. However, last night we made a plan to go to Osgood pond and then to the falls and spend most of the day there.

The photo shows me wearing the bug net that was in our tote bag.

At the raffle last night . . . my roommates and I . . . all won prizes. First Susie: a travel watercolor set, brush and pens and a little case. Next, I won a set of 6 brushes by Rosemary's Brushes (estimated value $100) ! Then Margie won a large wooden palette.

We're here!

We meandered our way to Paul Smiths College, stopping for about 45 minutes to an hour to take photos.

All in all with all our stops, it took us 3 hours to get once we drove off the ferry.

The weather right now has gone grey. I've been told that Susie travels with rain, but Everyone is saying the temps tomorrow will be in the 90's.

We walked into the check-in, and there was Eric Rhoads, and three children, working the check-in desk, and very efficiently. We were given a Plein Air Magazine tote bag, green this year. I love the green.

We were given some free samples of Williamsburg paint!!!

And, Joe, from Rosemary's Brushes is here with brushes for sale.

We settled into our suite of rooms. VERY nice, and we have a kitchen as well.

Dinner is at 5:30pm, so I'll sign off for now, and write later, if I have the energy or inclination.

Ausable Chasm

Lunch in Saranac Lake

Back on the  road to Paul Smiths College after stopping for lunch. Nicoise salad, and just phoptos of dessert, but I could go for an ice cream. Temps is 75 right now, with sun and 88 F tomorrow. Looks like better painting weather than last year.

Paint the Adirondack Adventure: day 1

On the road again.
Yesterday started off with a bit of stress: running a little late to the airport, an easy check-in, cash from the ATM, he bathroom, then disaster! I had lost my drivers license somewhere between the check-in and getting my stuff together to go through security. Panic time! But the license was found, in my stuff and all was well.

I am traveling with Susie and Margie. We all flew into Burlington, VT, had a nice meal at The Ice House, right on Lake Champlain, and took the ferry this morning to NY. It's a super beautiful day today. :)

27 Dresses Series #5: Flirty Dress

"Flirty Dress" 7" x 5", Oil on Canvas Panel • SOLD

"Flirty Dress" revealed itself to me on April 19, in Annapolis, Maryland. I didn't know I'd find her. I was on my way to paint a red and white striped number I'd seen the night before. I walked into town from Graul's Market with my backpack, easel, panels and pizza box carrier, and my Plein Air Magazine tote - given to all the participants of the 1st Annual 'Paint the Adinrondacks', you all remember who organized that, right?

The day was sunny, and very warm, and it was a stimulating walk to arrive at State Circle. Years ago, while a student in landscape painting class with Richard Nieworth, I stood in a quite spot on this circle and painted. The wind blew my palette over onto the brick sidewalk, and I was sure bells and whistles would go off, and that the Historical Society would arrive on the scene at any moment. No one knew this happened but me, and I did my best to wipe up the red, yellow, white globs of paint, which resulted in smears!

So from that time on, whenever I was in Annapolis, I'd check to see if my paint was still on those bricks. This was back in the late 1970's! I didn't find my marks this year, but that isn't a bad record for Utrecht oil paint!!!!

I walked around the circle half way, and took a narrow pedestrian street that would cut through to the harbor/market area. Nice, interesting old houses, and at the end, a small shop called "VIVO". And, "Voila!", there she was, such a cute dress with spectacular color and shape, and the wall of the shop behind was a WOOZER color! I loved the black mannequin, 'a first' since I've started to paint this series. Still, the red and white was just around the corner, and it was still calling me. I'd have a look before deciding to paint. Like magic, it had disappeared. Good for me, as that dress was on a busy street with sidewalk cafe tables and lunchers!

I backtracked to this side street and

observed this dress from another angle.

You can just see the Annapolis State House dome in the distance to the left of this quirky, but very paintable, house; and in the right foreground,
the VIVO shop and Flirty Dress to the right.

I liked this view, too. I sat down all my equipment and dug out my sketchbook to make a couple compositional sketches, so important! (the drawings are in the previous post). I then reached for my tripod, which I'd left in the car!

Nothing to do now, but figure it out.
I sat on a 5" curb, and straddled a gutter with running water.

Notice that one handle of my trash bag is clipped to my pants leg!

This was rough, but there was no choice.
I wasn't going anywhere without that painting of Flirty Dress.

Behind me was  . . .

In front of me (besides a messy garbage bin) was . . .

my backpack with a small 6x8" magnetic easel propped on top. The good news was I had shade the entire time, very few visitors, and a subject before me that made it all worth while.

6th Solo Exhibition

I bought a Motorola Zyboard tablet last December, and I am writing to you from this tablet now. Of course, I am not a true tekky, so I am not sure what all I could be doing with it. One thing I do know is that it's hard to update my blog from this device, but easy to blog going through email. The only thing I don't like about that is not being able to position or size my photo before posting it.

My photo shows a page from the sketch book I was using in April when I was in Maryland. My daughter lives in Annapolis now, and while she worked and my granddaughter was at school, I loaded up with my backpack, panels and easel and walked into the town center. I was working each day and one night on paintings for my "27 Dresses Series". Here are four thumbnails for paintings that are on the wall of my current exhibition at the Sharon Weiss Gallery in Columbus, OH.

Two of the sketches are of the same dress. I titled that painting "Flirty Dress". It was so cute, and made of paper. The painting is just 5"x7", and I did a great job capturing it, under trying circumstances. (to be continued)

Randy Higbee, King of Frames!

Here they are, four big boxes of frames for my June exhibition, fresh from The King himself (no, Elvis left the building some time ago - or did he?)

FedX Ground delivered them just when Randy said they would! Whew!

I haven't had time yet today to get into these boxes. But I am SO longing to see. And a hugest thank you of all time to The King of Frame and his staff!

Check it out: http:/www.kingofframe.com

Debra Joyce Dawson Exhibition Opening June 1st

You're invited!

 
DEBRA JOYCE DAWSON
'painting the looser side of realism'

'Beyond Repair', 10" x 7-1/4" Oil

 Artist's Reception: Friday, June 1, 6 - 9 pm

Gallery Hop: Saturday, June 2, 7-10 PM

THE SHARON WEISS GALLERY PRESENTS

Dawson's 6th Solo Exhibition, featuring recent plein air and studio
works from Ohio, the Adirondacks and Cuba,
with a selection of works
from her new "27 Dresses" series.



"Blue Crinoline", 10" x 8", Oil

This year, Debra was commissioned by the Ohio Arts Council to create the artworks for the 2012 Governor's Awards for the Arts; won a place in the August 'Art in the Open Plein Air Competition' in Wexford, Ireland; and was juried into the '2012 Plein Air Rockies'. Debra is teaching color and plein air workshops around the USA.

20 E. Lincoln Street, Columbus, OH 43215 614-291-5683

Hours: Thurs., Noon - 4:00 PM; Fri. & Sat., Noon - 5:00 PM Sun., 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
www.sharonweissgallery.com
www.debrajoycedawson.com



Plein Air Convention: Part 9 - B. Eric Rhoads, Marketing Genius!



B. Eric Rhodes standing on stage at the opening of each morning.

As Olive Oil would say, "What a man, what a man!"

Yes, Eric is quite a guy! I've certainly never met anyone like him before. Entrepreneur, Radio Man, Magazine Guru, Marketing Genius and Mastermind of the Publisher's Invitational 'Paint the Adirondacks, and then, the 1st Annual Plein Air Convention. Just a few things in his long resume that prove he really is a marketing genius.

He has ideas, and 'people' that make his ideas come to fruition. Not a bad place to be.

And I have to say, that even while the Convention was going on, he was still adding things to the program. For instance, he flew in a woman from England to translate for the 'Russian Master' - before and while he was painting.

And one of the things he added along the way of planning a phenomenal Convention was his 'Early Bird Marketing Boot Camp'. This took place each morning starting at 6:30 AM. Need I say the house was packed? Coffee was served along with breakfast!

Here's what he started with: Get more galleries, change your thinking patterns, and you must work harder than you ever have in your life. Next, Eric went on to tell the story of how during the Great Depression of 1929, Post Cereal, the #1 Brand in their market, stopped advertising. Kellogg's was a small business at that time, but they started to advertise, and by 1933 Kellogg's became the #1 Brand in that market.

What did Eric do? In the midst of this recession that we have been having, he re-launched Plein Air Magazine!

What did he tell us to do?

Go see other artist's paint, those that are at he top of their game.
Learn about marketing.
Meet People - for camaraderie and marketing.
Travel.
Paint - and learn something new to teach.


Artist case in point: Henry Darger


The above link is to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle from 2008. It talks about Henry's life as a menial hospital worker, and his reclusive life, and the amazing work that was discovered just before he died at the age of 81.

What's the point? no one knew Henry was creating scads of art! He never made a penny, but now his work is in museums and sells for at least $80,000 a piece!
 


Click here to see more images.

 PEARLS OF WISDOM:  

• There is no romance in being a starving artist, or in thinking that an artist is not a business person.
• There is nothing evil, wrong, or manipulative in marketing.

Now, here's where you start :
WRITE YOUR OWN OBITUARY, up to today!

Governor's Awards for the Arts

So, here I am for the big photo session!  What a buzz there is in the air.

In this photo is Ken Emmerick and Barbara S. Robinson from Cleveland. Ms. Robinson is receiving the Irma S. Lazarus Award.

Roller Coaster of Art

The painting below has nothing to do with this post.
I just figured I put in a piece of art since I was blogging.

"Fountain Study" 12" x 9" Oil on RayMar Panel
Debra Joyce Dawson copywrite 2012
At the Eisele Gallery in Cincinnati

Now for the real meat of the story.

The email subject line said, "Congratulations!"

I was accepted into the 2012 Plein Air Rockies Event, taking place in mid-August. I quickly wrote back thanking them. Then, I happily delivered the news to my husband, Martin, and my mind starting racing to the logistics of how, when, where, $$$$.

I looked up the dates, and to my horror, they conflict with my painting and vacation time in Ireland. DRATS! DRATS! DRATS!

I have just sent another email, this time confessing that I would not be available to attend, and begged them not to blacklist me!

I am very bummed indeed. Meeting the artists from around the country is part of what doing this is all about. I would have reconnected with Sterling Hoffman (I met him at the Door Co. Plein Air Festival), Thom Robinson - outstanding artists from Indiana, Oil Painters of America Master, Jeff Legg - and missing out on meeting all the other artists that I've never met. My consolation, of course, would be just knowing that I did get accepted! Maybe for tonight that is enough, especially since I thought I didn't get in at all. The notices were to arrive on April 30th, and when I didn't hear, I assumed I didn't get it.

Plein Air Convention: Part 8 - The Irish Connection

Which two look Irish?

Okay folks, back to the Plein Air Convention.

As you know, I won a competition to stay in a luxury resort hotel, plus my heafty entry fee paid, to go to Ireland and take part in the Art in the Open Competition, taking place later this summer in County Wexford.


Well, on my first day in Vegas, after seeing the Monet exhibition at the Bellagio, I headed for the Red Rock Resort and Casino to register for the convention. I navigated my way through a labyrinth of slots, restaurants and shops, and followed the signs to "convention center". Who was behind the check in desk, but my friend Cinnamon Rossman, the woman that started the Door County Plein Air Festival. She is now working for Plein Air Magazine.

We had a hug and a very short chat, and I checked in. I got the name tag, a raffle form, and a Plein Air Magazine bag filled with the program, marketing literature (which included a card for the September Ohio Plein Air Competition), and some free art goodies like acrylic, oil and water soluable oil paint, view finders, and linen painting panels from suppliers.


Steve Doherty opening the Plein Air Convention.

Then, I stood talking to early birds at the T-shirt/hat stall, and as I looked around, I spotted Steve Doherty, renowned editor, first of American Aritst, and now with Plein Air Magazine.
We spoke briefly, and then across the crowded room,
I spied two tee shirts sporting the

logo.

I said to myself, "These women have been to this competition!" So, I headed straight for them, only to find that they were actually the gals that had started the plein air group in the Southeast of Ireland. And they started the competition, now in its 5th year, and drawing artists from the US and several European countries. I gathered a lot of info from Louise, including the fact that commeraderie and partying in Ireland was going to be just as important as painting!!!

Here he is the King of Frames, shaking hands with Michael Godfrey.

I spent the next 2-1/2 hours chatting and laughing with Jayne and Louise (who are flanking Becky Joy in the first photo), and meeting and greeting artist friends like Ulrich Gleiter, Shelby Keeff, Debra Grosser, Marc Hanson, and feeling the excitement as some of the big name presentors came in:  Clyde Aspevig, Ken Auster, Matt Smith.
Then' low and behold, I saw my friend and past student, Susie King, crossing the room. "I yelled out her name, and we had a unexpected but joyful reunion. Susie checked in and joined the party.

New friend, Peggy Turk from California, and of course, Scott Christensen.

I'd had a long day of travel the previous day, and not enough sleep, and well, after about 2-1/2 hours of talking and laughing, I was starting to fade. Susie, went to her room to freshen up, but we decided to meet for dinner. She called me, and I couldn't hear above the din, so I walked myself and my phone out into the landing area, as I was walking in one direction, Scott Christensen was coming in the other. With cell phone to my ear, I yelled out, "Scott Christensen!" as I reached out to shake his hand. He actually stopped in his tracks as I'm sure my tone of voice sounded like he was supposed to know me and that we hadn't seen each other in such a long time." Crazy, I shook his hand and kept on walking. Hey, I was talking to my people!

Plein Air Convention: Part 7 - The Sargent Lecture

 Behind me, starting at the left, you see more presentors at the Plein Air Convention: Ned Mueller who did a demo, Richard Ormond - grand nephew to Sargent,
and at the far right Alexey Steele, you just can't get away from him.

Mr. Ormond gave a lively and entertaining lecture, in a fine British accent, starting with his connection to the family, and continued with photos and stories about his grandmother, Sargent's sister, evidently, a formidable woman.

John Singer Sargent

Ormond is writing the catalog raisonné on Sargent, in volumes. When I asked for a good book on Sargent for Christmas a few years back, I received three of the current seven volumes. If you haven't seen these books, I've linked above to the Amazon page where you can see what is available. With access to all the family records, and years of tracking down all of the paintings, drawings, etc., the books are a powerful presentation of Sargent's working process. And it was a process of drawings and studies before he ever made one of those large paintings.

This bad photo, is shot from a projection screen and shows you the perspective I had in the conference room. At left is a childhood photo of Sargent and his sister. On the right is a painting of his sister done from a photograph many years later. Thanks to Photoshop Elements, I can take the time to straighten out the photos, if I have the time.

And who doesn't love Sargent? Below is one of my favorite paintings shown by Mr. Ormond during his lecture. I was amazed by his use of that sienna color, and loved the pose. Quite daring for that time, I would think, for a woman to be entwined with two men!

Now I am off for Maryland for a few days, so you are on hold with more photos and stories from the Plein Air Convention. Toodle-loo!

Plein Air Convention: Part 6

Left to Right: Jeremy Lipking, Debra Joyce Dawson, Alexey Steele,

Scott Christensen, Bridgette Turner, and Karen LaValley.

I put links to the rock star artists websites, in case you haven't seen them.
But if you haven't seen Alexey Steele before, heard him rant and rave about art, you should do a search on YouTube for him. He is one intense Artist!

I suppose I could have added the links to the 'gals' websites, too, but I am just trying to share a photo and to let you know that the girls in this photo were thrilled to get a photo with some of the 'rock stars' of art that were performing at this convention

This was most likely the third time I got my photo with Alexey that evening.

All cameramen aren't equal, but we appreciate those that are willing to try.

Alexey is truly the rock star. He knows how to dress,
he knows how to market, and he IS a HUGE personality. In fact, I feel totally comfortable saying
that he was the biggest personality at the convention. I love his look, and would give my right arm for the chance to try a portrait of him. Of course without that arm, I wouldn't be able to paint.

Next year the convention will be in California.
I will be looking for roommates.

Plein Air Convention: part 5

The 1st Annual Plein Air Convention came to an end yesterday after a morning of plein air painting at Bonnie Springs, near Red Rock Canyon, and the amusing lets see if we can get 750 painters in one photo for the magazine. if I can find myself in this photo I will certainly be surprised.

I plan on blogging this convention for real once I am home, but have been putting some of this time sitting at the airport to use in trying to figure how to post from this Xybord tablet.

I figured my photo of Trump Tower would be a nice intro to this Vegas experience. I was driving when I saw this glittering gold tower against the blue sky, and thought, "Yes, the tower does match his ego."

Plein Air Convention: part 4

The convention ends today with half a day of painting.

Each morning I've been getting up at 5:00 am, meeting my friend, Ray, at the bottom of the elevator, walking across the casino and and taking the elevator to the parking garage. Then we drive to Red Rock for the included breakfast and an earlybird marketing boot camp, given by the king of marketing himself, publisher Eric Rhoades.

Just this has been worth it, but the demos by some of the top plein air artists have not only been informative, but at times incredibily funny. For now on this blog, you will have to exercise your imaginations, artists can do that, right? Think Ken Auster, painting a 40" x 60" canvas in 2 hours while being heckled by Gil Dillinger, current President of Plein Air Painters of America! And fielding questions from the audience. it was amazing to watch.

Plein Air Convention, Part 3:

After viewing the Monet exhibition, I sat and enjoyed a rum raisin gelato. Susie, Dino, YUM!

The wonderful sunlight pulled me outside the door to view the pool area of Bellagio. It is quite lovely, complete with lots of ladies sunbathing. How? Not sure, as the wind is extremely strong, but not warm. In fact, it was only with the aid of two girls trying to get outside, that I got back in!

I've already met some convention participants at the exhibition. So now, time to drive to Red Rock Casino Resort and register. No events today, but I expect to meet the early arrivals, who should include my friend, Ray.

Sorry about no photos. I am taking them, but don't seem to be able to upload them here. Could be that cookies was turned off somehow, or that I need to make a Picassa account. Too much technology for me.

Plein Air Convention, Part 2: Bacon, Beach Boys, Monet

This morning was Breakfast with the Beach Boys. It took me several cups of coffee and a free breakfast - coffee I had to pay for - before I could venture up to the 8th floor garage parking and drive anywhere.

Before I left, I checked back at my room to see if the 'to do' list which included a burned out bulb, broken hair dryer and a clogged sink had been resolved. Voila! Everything had been done.

I drove to Bellagio, which is hosting a Monet exhibition. Eric Rhoades arranged for participants of the Plein Air Convention to get a reduced entry fee. $10.00 instead of the regular $15.00. 28 Monets and works by his contemporaries: Troyon, Pissarro, Boudin, Daubigny, and Signac. I took my time, and one of the guards handed me some extra literature, I suppose because I looked interested. He turned out to be a very nice guy, and we shared each others favorites in the show. One in particular, an early one by Monet entitled, "Rue de la Bavole", sparked a discussion on the huge shadow in the painting and whether Monet got the drawing of it correct. We stood looking at it and discussing that the shadow is cast by a building not visible in the painting. It was pleasurable talking to this man and watching the happy expressions on his face. Wonderful to see how the art had touched him and made him stop and think.

Plein Air Convention, Part 1: Getting Here

whew! long day.

My flight to Phoenix didn't leave Columbus, OH until 5:35pm, but it was on time. My next flight was also on time, and I arrived at the Las Vegas airport at 9:30pm, right on time.

I picked up my rental car, by way of a shuttle bus to the 'Rental Car Center', where all the companies are housed in one building. Driving a compact Honda Civic, I think. I used my Motorola tablet as navigator to get me to the hotel/casino where I am staying.

This place used to be Fitzgerald's, and the sign still says that, but it's changed hands and is now called 'The D'. I am sitting at the bar, surrounded by sound. The sound of slots, crowds of people talking, laughing, squeals of delight at times, and all of that a sort of background rhythum for the loud piped in music with a driving beat.

The D is at 301 Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, the old section of town. I saw 'the strip' from the -plane window, and again when I drove by it on I-15. The Malabar, the Pyramid, New York, New York, Ceasars Palace and Bellagio, where I hope to see a Monet exhibition. You see, I am not into gambling. Good thing, as over the yeras I have at times found myself living in casinos, or being 'trapped' in one in St. Louis, Missouri with a friend that didn't want to leave.

I haven't tried my bed yet, but the hair dryer doesn't work.

And, I have never blogged from this tabet before and I can't seem to get it to load a photo from photos stored on here. size could be an issue???? so hang in there with me. Sounds a bit like India, right?