Getting Ready For the Easton Plein Air Festival

18 frames, 26 canvas panels, various framing tools, framing hardware, a box of Nitrile gloves, a box of business cards, 3 cotton socks and other misc. items are all winging their way to Easton, MD. I am hoping these boxes will meet me there on July 11th for the start of the Easton Plein Air Festival.

Every night for the last few days I've been dreaming about this painting trip. My dreams have included the following scenarios - showing up on the day of the sale to find I haven't painted a thing, getting lost in my rental car and not being able to find the walls to hang my art on, missing several key events including the Quick Draw competition and waking up late to find out I'd slept through the day entirely and missed out on painting.

My husband thinks I worry too much. I think he's probably right but, read on to see why my anxiety level is a bit high at the moment.

For the first time ever I will be a participating artist at Plein Air Easton. This event is considered by many to be the best plein air (outdoor) painting event in the U.S. To get in each artist must submit several paintings for a judge to review with only the best making the cut. The judge has strict criteria and uses a point scale to make their selections. To keep it fair a new judge is chosen every year. Submission is open to artists from all over the world. More than 400 artists submit work for review and only 58 are chosen. Plein Air Easton is like the "Who's Who" of the outdoor painting world.

Can you see why I'm dreaming about it now? Some of you may be asking the following at this point.

What is Plein Air Easton?

At the beginning of the event artists must check-in and have all the backs of their canvases stamped with the 2013 Easton official stamp. Then, they turn us loose in the countryside to paint over a five-day period, picturesque scenes throughout Talbot County, Maryland. During the week there are different painting events including a quick draw timed painting competition, a fabulous collector's preview party where collectors are given first chance at purchasing art and an art show and sale featuring all the work created that week.

My goal is to paint 2-3 painting per day during the event. That way I can choose only my very best pieces to frame and display.

To see last year's winners and marvel at the quality of the work created during this event CLICK HERE.Paintings will be on display and available for purchase at the art show and sale on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21.

COLLECTORS' PREVIEW PARTY
Friday, July 19, 2013 7pm-9pm
Awards Announced at 7:45 pm
Tickets Required

This event offers the only opportunity to see the entire competition show! You can be one of the first to experience and purchase paintings during this private ticketed only event. Enjoy the company of friends, a glass of wine, hors d'œuvres and conversation with the participating competition artists. The exhibit will evolve all evening as paintings are sold and new paintings take their places. Competition paintings will be on sale starting at 7pm when the doors to the Academy Art Museum open to ticket holders.

For information please contact the Plein Air-Easton! Information Hotline at 410-822-7297.