ARTIST OF THE MONTH

March 2 thru April 6, 2010
New Braunfels Art League
 ---- MYRA KNAPP ---
Landscapes in Oil

** Opening Reception **
Friday, March 5 from 5 to 9 P.M.

New Braunfels Art League
239 W San Antonio Street
New Braunfels  TX  78130
830 629-8022
www.newbraunfelsartleague.com

What a fun event!  I had not painted in the San Luis Obispo, CA area before which made this plein air event even more exciting.  Five perfect weather days, forty plus wonderful participants, event planners and docents made this event one of the most fun events ever.  With boats, harbors, Cypress and Eucalyptus trees, estuaries, coastal shoreline, fishing docks and huge rock outcroppings, etc., how could a painter go wrong!  I loved every moment of the event -- even the "Quick Draw" held on the blustery Saturday morning brought out the best in all the painters.  If you have not been in the area before, be sure to take a trip to the San Luis Obispo area.            Thank you Russ Ferriday for taking this nice photo.       

I will be heading to San Luis Obispo, California September 27 - October 4, 2009 to join in the fun of painting the beautiful California vineyards, barns, golden hills and coastline.  Fifty artists (including me) have been accepted to be part of this great event.  The fun begins when we artists have our canvases stamped with the official seal, dash out to various locations in San Luis Obispo County, and paint like mad until Friday when we will turn in three finished and framed wet paintings.  These paintings will be on display beginning Friday, October 2 from 4 to 9 p.m. when the public will have a chance to purchase these wonderful paintings.  If you happen to miss this portion of the event, head to the Art Center and historic Old Mission Plaza Saturday, October 3 at 9:30 to watch the "Quick Draw, Paint Out" where all fifty artists will be painting en plein air for two hours, finish and frame their works and offer the paintings for live auction at noon. 

Pressure, pressure, pressure for us all but what an exciting time we will all have.  If you would like more detailed information concerning this event, go to www.sloartcenter.org and look for the Plein Air '09 logo. 

Thought you would like to hear about this past week's events. 

Twelve other plein air artists converged on Santa Catalina Island's little city of Avalon to join Ron Rencher for a week-long workshop.  What a wonderful experience.  We spent every day painting the beautiful emerald waters, piers and landmarks that make up this magical island while keying in on some of Ron Rencher's expert advice.  Ron shared many stories about the days when the Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA) held their annual painting event in Avalon.  It was such fun to paint the same motifs that you know were painted by artists of the past.  Avalon has been an artists destination for many, many years -- I can certainly see why, it is absolutely beautiful. 

While painting one day, Ron Rencher and fellow artist, Sherry Wooley and I were filmed for the website promoting Catalina Island.  You can see it at www.eCatalina.com and look for events then Ron Rencher. 

Hope you will have a chance to visit Catalina Island some time soon.  Just get yourself to Long Beach, CA then take the ferry 26 miles to Santa Catalina Island -- sounds like a song doesn't it, hmmm!