New Year, New Works

In December, I took a drive up to the Vermillion Cliffs and camped in a warehouse for a week. It was a week of minimalism, going quiet and being unplugged -- ironically, to recharge my batteries. There are very few people around there in the winter, and that's just what I needed. I also wanted the low winter light, and I got some great little painting studies and terrific photos of the dramatic light conditions you find in winter.

Each year in January, I plan my goals for the coming year including business, personal and artistic growth objectives. In each area of life, we're actively advancing or receding. I work hard every day to advance my artistic skills, business, and personal health and happiness. Finding a healthy balance is the hard part.

Here's a summary of my plans for the coming year.

Business Growth -- I have been invited to three plein air events for 2017 including The Grand Canyon National Park in September, Zion National Park in November and, a new one for me, Chasing Light at the Southern Utah Museum of Art in July. This is a beautiful new museum in Cedar City, Utah.

Next month I have a two-person show at CasaBella Gallery in Tucson with my friend and fellow painter Charles Thomas. Our opening is Thursday, March 2. Please stop by if you're in the area. We will each have about eight new works created just for the show. I'm even including some new still life work.

Charlie graciously took me painting (and mountain biking) around the Patagonia area last week while I was in Green Valley visiting my father. There's a LOT of law enforcement in the area. Border Patrol agents checked us out more than once while painting in the woods there.

"Painters huh? I dunno, sounds pretty shady to me.  You aren't from around here, are ya?"

On April 6 - 9 I've been invited to a Summit at the Sedona Arts Center. It isn't a plein air event per se, but rather an 'Celebration of Landscape Painting' event. My hope is that more of the current plein air events will adopt this looser, lower pressure type of show. Each artist is given a set amount of wall space to hang what they want. Meaning the percentage of plein air vs. studio work shown is completely up to each artist.

I know there are hard-core plein air artists who disagree with me, but I think most collectors simply want your best work, however you do that. I've talked to more than one collector recently who said they will no longer purchase quick-draw paintings at plein air events as they feel these works are rushed and incomplete. I agree. Personally, I want to leave behind the best work I can do. For me this usually results from a more thoughtful approach in the studio, based on my outdoor studies and photos. This show will feature a panel discussion on the subject that promises to be lively.

In May, I will do my only tent show of the year, the Phippen Show in Prescott, Arizona over Memorial Day weekend. I had a great time there the last two years. It's one of the few tent shows that is all art, no crafts. It's a classy event that benefits the Phippen Museum.

Speaking of classy events, I'll be at the Museum of Northern Arizona's annual Gala Auction in June. This is a major fundraiser for the museum, and I donate a painting to the silent auction each year, as well as 50% of the sales price from my live auction piece. It's always a nice dinner and a well-run event.

I'm proud to be working with three art museums this year, and I always challenge myself to do my very best work for them, and you.

Artistic Growth - Doing all these shows and events forces growth, as well as specific study ideas I have for myself when I can find the time for pure study. 2017 promises to be a busy year, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep my love alive for this fabulous journey of art.

Personal Growth - Mental and Physical. For Christmas I bought myself a Bowflex machine to work my back and rear shoulder muscles that are not strongly engaged during mountain biking. Again, it's all about balance. I also recommend a couple of books I keep going back to:

Code to Joy by Pratt & Lambrou, and The Power of Full Engagement by Loehr & Schwartz. Both are excellent for gaining a greater perspective on life so you can make meaningful changes for the better.

Play date.  "Why no, I have no idea what happened to the cookies you left for Santa (burp)".