Nokomis Beach with Light Chasers and Gail Ribas

Gail Ribas and Mike Davis at Nakomis Beach

Headed south out of Sarasota today to do meet up with Gail Ribas and other artists from the Light Chasers, a group of plein air painters who gather to paint from Bradenton to North Port, Florida.  This looks like an active group - 20-30 painters today spread out along the beach. Didin't get to meet them all, but was happy to connect with some local artists.  Gail is heading home around the 4/15, but before she goes we'll head over to Myakka State Park to paint at least once. Mike Davis will join us, maybe more!

 Oil sketch at Nokomis Beach 6x8" by Pat LaBrecque

Oil sketch at Nokomis Beach 8x10" by Pat LaBrecque

First time out for me in many months, and happy to be back at it.
Just takes me one time out to catch a good case of the plein air fever!

Plein Air Curacao - Art Cocoon is a sponsor and I'll be there!

Step aside, Irene, I'm goin' to Curacao in the morning!  Not even the threat of an historic hurricane will stop me now.  Heading out Saturday morning - moved the flight up one day.  Almost packed.  Very excited about this trip to Curacao where Art Cocoon is an official sponsor and I get to paint all day, every day for a week with some truly fantastic painters.

Here's a recent photo of a Curacao painting by Nancy Tankersley (http://www.nancytankersley.com/). Nancy is one of the organizers of Plein Air Curacao and will also be teaching during the workshop.

I'll be updating all week, so stay tuned!

Art Cocoon Kids Paint Out - A Great Success

 Painters signing up at Art Cocoon booth.

A future gallery owner.

Half way point.

 Serious painter with assistant.

 This painter later on took first place.

 A little Picasso.

 A perfect family friendly event.

Everybody is a winner today!

 44 young emerging artists painted in Rotary Park in Goffstown, NH during the Uncommon Art Fair on Saturday, August 6. Sometimes photos say it all!  But, I will add...
... the Art Cocoons were perfect.  There was a lot of wet paint here, but since no one had to touch the wet paintings, the paint stayed on the paintings where it belongs and that made everyone happy! We are heading to the drawing board to design a new product especially for this application. Stay tuned!

Uncommon Art on the Common Art Festival - Goffstown, NH August 6

 

The Goffstown Main Street Program will host the 3rd Annual "Uncommon Art on the Common" Festival on August 6.  Goffstown's largest art festival yet with over 35 vendors and a "Kids Paint Out" this promises to be a great day. We invite plein air painters to come and set up to paint anywhere downtown. This could be a great opportunity to get some free exposure and potential sales. Rest rooms will be available. Come and enjoy the day with us ~ paint, enjoy the festival, dine in one of our great restaurants, and check out our cool shops.

Art Cocoons available at South Street Art Gallery in Easton, MD

Nancy Tankersley explains how to use Art Cocoons 

during Plein Air Easton.

An e-mail came in today from Nancy Tankersley:

"Pat, I am going to sell some cocoons at the Camille Przewodek workshop tomorrow. Would appreciate it if you would add our school link to your page."

Consider it done, Nancy, and thanks so much!  

eastonstudioandschool.com/

Plein Air Easton Quick Draw

 Richard Dorbin and I set up off the main street in the shade.

Two hours to paint in this open competition.

Here comes the judge!

Painting in 100+ degree temps - ya gotta be nuts! The "Quick Draw" at Plein Air Easton is a 2 hour open event that took place on Saturday from 10-noon. Despite the oppressive heat a great number of painters participated encouraged by crowds of onlookers.  I painted a sidewalk scene using my Guerilla box and an 8x10 panel in the Art Cocoon. 

At noon we carried our easels to the main exhibit area for two more hours of judging, sales and awards presentations. Then it was time to say good bye to this great event and head north for the 9 hour trip in a nice air conditioned car.

Plein Air EASTON 2011 - An Extraordinary Experience

Thanks to Nancy Tankersley of South St. Gallery in Easton, MD,  Art Cocoon had the pleasure to be an official sponsor of Plein Air Easton 2011. What a wonderful experience!  We started out painting on our own on Day One, then decided to spent the rest of the week seeking out the 56 competing professional painters scattered about Easton, MD and surrounding towns.  It was like a FABULOUS treasure hunt.  The artists were friendly and it was amazing to see so many great paintings being created day after day.
It's one thing to see great finished plein air paintings, but seeing them develop is an entirely different educational experience.  This could be habit forming - we're hooked on plein air here at Art Cocoon - painting AND watching painters paint.

southstreetartgallery.com/