Lessons Learned from Plein Air Competition
As I sat down this month to apply to plein Air Easton 2023, I thought back fondly on my experience as a competition artist last year and the blog post that I wrote in my head about the lessons I learned. Now that I’ve had time to reflect, I thought I would finally commit that blog post to paper.
Lesson #1: If you don’t apply you certainly won’t get in. I have been accepted to many juried exhibitions and plein air competitions, but Plein Air Easton was always elusive. I applied to Easton many times over a period of ten years…. But I know for sure that the years I didn’t apply were years I didn’t get in. Last year I was accepted with the same set of images that had me waitlisted at less prestigious competitions.
Lesson #2: Don’t be intimidated by the other artists. They are all mortal. When I saw the names of my fellow accepted artists at the 2022 event I was in awe. Imagine my surprise when some of them approached me to tell me that they knew my work and admired it. The comradery of the week was surprising. You are all there to do what you love to do… and that love of creating is what you all have in common.
Lesson #3: You can keep looking for the perfect spot or you can find your shade and make the most of it. There are wonderful places to paint everywhere you look, and you can spend your entire day looking. But you needn’t. But each of us has a unique perspective. It is that perspective – the choices we make -- that are way more important than the “ideal” spot.
Lesson #4: That said, pick a shady spot! The real absolutes: The sun will move, the shadows will change, the wind will blow, the bugs will bite, you will be hot, the truck will park in front of your subject matter. Make the most of your initial decisions… but don’t be afraid to go with the flow.
Lesson #5: A painting is not a perfect trajectory from blank canvas to finished art. My experience has taught me that my best art comes from struggle. Embrace the struggle… see where it leads you.
Lesson #6: Be yourself. It is very tempting to watch how your fellow artist paints and try to emulate them… but your power as an artist comes from seeing the world and applying paint the way YOU do. Be yourself, throw caution to the wind, embrace what is uniquely you, have fun and enjoy the experience.
