Plein Air Painter - How to decide on a workshop

American Contemporary plein air painter.

The most difficult decision...

On a few occasions, I've been in a dollar store and overheard a Mom or Grandma explaining to a young child that they were giving them a dollar and they could buy anything in the whole store they wanted , but only one thing...

First the child is unbelievably excited and runs off to explore the 'eye candy', only to come back in a few minutes to ask 'should I get this or this...??' hoping for -
1. the answer that they can have both
2. Having the decision made for them.

The investment is minimal

but the responsibility of multiple choice is overwhelming !

I get emails and phone calls from people trying to make an educated decision about taking a workshop. The desire is there, but they're really just looking for a positive reinforcement, that I think the workshop is a good fit for them.

The truth is, you take a workshop to grow. A tiny step can often lead to a big shift in your paradigm. One of the most sincerely rewarding parts of teaching workshops is seeing participants make a break through in their creativity.

What happens next is important...The break through may come, but

1. You may quickly begin to dismiss or explain it away, not trusting your eyes or feelings.

2. You may not even recognize that a break through happened.

A breakthrough can often be a direction you don't recognize. Your creativity can manifest strongly in a way you don't feel comfortable with .And that's the whole purpose !! If you're in your comfort zone, you're not growing.

If you join us in the safe, encouraging atmosphere of a workshop, you will be totally supported, uplifted and surprised at what you are capable of.

Jacqueline

www.jrbaldini.com
POSTERS & PRINTS of my paintings available HERE
P.S.
The 2011 Art workshop schedule will be posted in the next few weeks.
If you'd like advance notice, just go to ARTWORKSHOPS and sign up for the newsletter

Plein Air Painter - Bruce Trail

American Contemporary plein air painter.
J. R. Baldini, left Kathryn A McMahon, right
click on image to enlarge



Painting on the Bruce Trail today with Florida artist, Kathryn McMahon.
Yes, we had 3 layers of clothing but, the weather was quite mild with the sun out.
Kathryn's paintings in photo.

www.jrbaldini.com
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Plein Air Painter - News

American Contemporary plein air painter.

Not signed up for my artworkshops newsletter yet ?
Find out the 2011 artworkshop dates as soon as they're published.

You can read it online HERE

J. R. Baldini website HERE

Niagara Falls Plein Air Painting Video

American Contemporary plein air painter.



artworkshops.homestead.com

Modern Art - Ready Made Art ?

American Contemporary plein air painter.

Has representational art become 'lowly Art' to major museums ?
Modern Artists would have you believe this...
The deliberate absence of beauty in Modern Art, shows that we have progressed beyond representation, right ? or
... does the Emperor have no clothes ?
The Absence of Beauty

Can our Society really be defined by Modern Art ? Have we been reduced to only showing negative emotion ?
Art Imitates Life and Life Imitates Art

Anti-mimesis is a philosophical position that holds the direct opposite of mimesis. Its most notable proponent is Oscar Wilde, who held in his 1889 essay The Decay of Lying that "Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life". In the essay, written as a Platonic dialogue, Wilde holds that such anti-mimesis "results not merely from Life's imitative instinct, but from the fact that the self-conscious aim of Life is to find expression, and that Art offers it certain beautiful forms through which it may realize that energy.".[

www.jrbaldini.com

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Plein Air Painter - Last workshop in Niagara Falls

American Contemporary plein air painter.
Last workshop in Niagara Falls this weekend.

I will also be in a group show at the Queenston, Ontario Library
starting October 14th.


Stop by & see the show !

J.R.

Plein Air Painting-Monhegan Paintings

American Contemporary plein air painter on Monhegan Island in August

Got the chance this week to photograph a few of the paintings from a recent trip to Monhegan Island in Maine. I've been painting the island since 1974.
All paintings are done outdoors.
The beauty of Monhegan inspired me years ago to offer plein air painting workshops there.
The saying is 'everywhere you look is a painting waiting to happen'.
Find out the dates as soon as they are scheduled for 2011 on the 'island that time forgot' HERE



Stay tuned for a new video coming soon from the 2010 workshop.

J.R. Baldini.com

Plein Air Painting-Monhegan Workshop

American Contemporary plein air painter.
Updates on the Monhegan Workshop week

Plein Air Painters - Door County Invitational

American Contemporary plein air painter.
So behind with my blog...
Got back from the Door County Plein Air Invitational last Sunday.
Met a great group pf plein air painters there, as well as the event coordinators who run a first class event.
We had 5

IPAP

Signature Members there - it was the first time meeting a couple of them in person.



www.jrbaldini.com

Plein Air Painter - Munson Williams Proctor Art Festival

American Contemporary plein air painter.

I was in town for the weekend and got the unusual chance to catch the Sidewalk Art Show and Student Art Show.
The Sidewalk Art Show was unremarkable with uncreative pieces, crafty looking pieces and poorly framed pieces. I inquired and was told that the show was still juried ?

The Museum itself has undergone a transformation with intimate coves for special collections, like the Thomas Cole "Voyage of Life" series. I spent many hours as a child fascinated with this series.I started Art School here at 10.



In the main floor galleries, the Student Show was displayed. Seems they were still teaching the same, in some cases using the same furniture, only the names had changed. The Student Show was still more interesting than the juried show
outside.
I noted two paintings one by Marcial Romano reminiscent of Alice Neel


And another sculptural piece by Patrick Branigan
I overheard two guys who had stopped in front of a Pollock - one saying to the other -wow, I guess they have some original pieces here.

The little gems are still intact inside the Museum
The Arts Festival takes place annually in July.

Plein Air Painter - favorite locations

American Contemporary plein air painter.
This painting is one of my favorite locations.
I call it Cliff House.
The front is actually almost level with the road, but from the sea, looks to be a lonely watcher (click to enlarge)

Available for your collection

www.jrbaldini,com

Plein Air Painter - artworkshops newsletter

American Contemporary plein air painter.

Sign up for my artworkshops newsletter HERE
or you can view the latest edition online HERE

Having wonderful weather - get out and paint !

All workshops including new locations San Miguel Allende and Taos HERE

Plein Air Painter - Check what you can do to help Wildlife efforts

Use Social Media to Spread the Word About the Oil Spill - National Wildlife Federation

Plein Air Painting - Oil Paintings

American Contemporary plein air painter.

This was demo done during a workshop and was sitting in the studio waiting for the finishing touches that I am never able to get to during a workshop.
(click on image to enlarge)

It's the road leading up to the lighthouse on Monhegan Island in Maine.

See more Monhegan Island paintings at
http://jrbaldini.com

Plein Air Painter - Judging an Art Show

American Contemporary plein air painter.

A month ago, I did the jurying for Havre de Grace for the 3rd year in a row, I believe.
The quality of the work was very good and they should have an excellent show.

Last night I was one of the judges for a juried show in Niagara Falls at Mt. Carmel Centre called 'Art in the Mist'.
My fellow judges were Tom Goldspink from TAG Gallery and Dr.Santina Malaguti from Amano Libera Gallery, both in St. Catharine's, Ont.



After almost 2 hrs, we had picked out 4 first, and a Best of Show, totally in agreement.
The three of us plan to be in touch in the near future.
It was a positive first experience judging here in the Niagara area.

The show continues through this weekend.
Congratulations to the winning artists !

American Contemporary Plein Air Painter

Plein air painter - Niagara Parks & Recreation, Ontario

American Contemporary plein air painter.
Parks & Recreation Ontario Commission

Earlier this year I was commissioned by Parks & Recreation Ontario to create 140 watercolors.
The paintings were delivered in April for an awards ceremony.
All of the paintings were versions of Niagara Falls.

www.jrbaldini.com

Plein Air Painter - Monet's Haystacks

American Contemporary plein air painter.



Hello plein air painters !

I am an American Contemporary plein air painter living & working in Niagara Falls, Canada.
As an American, I secretly delight in the fact that the National Gallery of Canada, refers me as the only Contemporary artist painting Niagara Falls.
You see, to the painters in this area, studios are much more comfortable and why would they want to paint Niagara anyway ? It's just a tacky tourist trap...

But, you see, they're missing the whole point - Niagara is many things, the light is spectacular and the forms forever morphing...
Niagara is to me what haystacks were to Monet..

Anyway, here I am in Niagara, where I can paint this fabulous cataract daily, when I'm not traveling or instructing workshops or hanging out with my husband Charlie (who's a Master Photographer) and my little dog BeBe Star.

In 2001, just after 911, I founded International Plein Air Painters, a Worldwide organization. Maybe you've heard about the annual Worldwide Plein Air Paint Out each September ? The group is active online and registration for 2010 is currently open.

You can visit my website, if you have a minute at
http://jrbaldini.com/
http://jrbaldini.blogspot.com/

or check which workshops are scheduled at
http://artworkshops.homestead.com/

Thanks for reading and hope to see you out there somewhere...

Plein Air Painter - Art Workshops - Niagara Falls USA

American Contemporary plein air painter
June 5 & 6, 2010

(click to enlarge - photo courtesy of Ann Krol Hair)

Kick off Summer with a plein air painting workshop at the American Falls at Niagara.
Niagara Falls State Park is one of the most historic, gorgeous and dramatic places to paint on the east Coast.
Niagara Falls State Park is celerating its 125th Anniversary Article HERE
The workshops offer focus on working in acrylic/oils .



One of the most beautiful painting locations in North America!



Beginner to Intermediate Levels welcome



The two day workshops are $275.00 US pp .(no price increase since 2002)

The Niagara Falls area is a beautiful area for painting and family fun both on the US and Canadian side.

This is the only plein air art workshop offered in Niagara Falls, USA
Jacqueline is referred by the National Gallery in Ottawa as the only Contemporary Artist painting Niagara Falls
More info about the workshop HERE

For your accomodations information hotels that are situated near the Niagara Falls State Park includes the Red Coach Inn, Holiday Inn, Econo Lodge at the Falls, The Giacomo, Comfort Inn The Pointe Hotel, Quality Inn, and Seneca Niagara Casino and Spa Hotel.

American Contemporary plein air painter - Old friends

American Contemporary plein air painter.

During a recent workshop, I had packed a few things quickly - one being my brush carrier.
My brushes are stored in the studio gathered in a vertical container, jar, vase of some kind. I grabbed a handful and when I began painting, I recognized an old friend.

When I was 10 years old, my parents sent me to Munson Williams Proctor School of Art in Utica, NY.
In addition to the Children's Saturday morning classes, I was allowed to attend an oil painting class on one weekday evening.
I still have these brushes, very carefully carved with a J, so no one would take them on me. Obviously treated roughly but, like the Velveteen Rabbit, treasured...



www.jrbaldini.com

Plein Air Painter - Art Workshops

American Contemporary plein air painter.

It's finally May - a wonderful time of year to paint outdoors !
In getting ready for the workshop this weekend, I have seen on the weather channel that we may get a bit of rain. The workshop in Myrtle Beach the end of April had rain and it was exciting to be able to capture the atmosphere !
I always say 'how many sunny days can you paint ?'
I will be upload a short video demo of this painting in the next few days on to my website
One of the reasons this is my favorite time of year to paint, is my annual trip to the Niagara Centennial Lilac Gardens. If we don't get the chance this weekend, definitely soon !


Talk later
Jacq

Plein Air Painter - Historical Paintings

American Contemporary plein air painter.

This morning I was in a vault,standing a foot away from a Rockwell Kent painting of Monhegan Island painted in 1905, when Kent was just 23 years old and had arrived on the Island in June of that year.

I had a two hour meeting with the Curator of the Riverbrink Museum in Queenston, Ontario.
I got a call from him last week to see if I might be interested in displaying some work.
The Museum/Gallery is on the way to Niagara on the Lake.

My work will be in the Museum by the end of May.

Plein air painter - working from studies

Plein air painter - working from studies

A few weeks ago, I took a commission from Parks and Recreation Ontario for 140 small watercolors.
This one of my first commissions in many moons that is studio work. The watercolors are being done from some of my plein air sketches.

I have a deadline of April 1st and then the paintings get shipped to the framers.
As of today, I have 89 of the watercolors finished.

I know how I will be spending my weekend...wouldn't you know, the temps outside are glorious, just begging for me to get outside and forget working in the studio !

Gotta run...

Plein Air Painter - Art Workshops

Plein air painter - art workshops
Look for our ad in the new issue of

on news stands now.
or BUY the issue now HERE

Plein air painter - Ringling School of Art

Plein air painter - Ringling School of Art

Yesterday, at the Ringling School of Art, I met up with artist/instructor Patrick Fiore.
Both of us as ex Uticans had a common connection. We did a tour of some of the classrooms and galleries on campus.
I got a chance to see some of Pat's works in progress in his studio off campus. Pat's a very interesting artist.
You can see some of his work HERE

After that it was off to Anna Maria island for some sightseeing and lunch at Rotten Ralph's

Try their seafood gumbo-with a kick !
We stopeed to get some great photos of Coquina Beach on the way back

And we finished at Michael's on East with a a late dinner in the lounge with live music and some seafood and walked out into the still warm Florida night...

Plein Air Painter - Longboat Key, Florida

Plein Air Painter - Longboat Key, Florida

Finally a gorgeous beach day !

We were able to spend the afternoon on Longboat Key beach.
This is a 12x12 oil on linen

Plein air painting - Sarasota Cold air painting

Plein air painter
This morning we were cold air painting at Lido Beach.
My demo never got finished but, the rest of the group got a good effort at the location with a lot of 'fog' and atmosphere.
I then managed to get a quick sketch done in the afternoon at a spot that was my original choice.

Plein Air Painter Sarasota/Longboat Key Florida

Plein Air Painter - Sarasota

The plein air painting workshop starts this morning.
We've had some cooler weather this week and they are predicting rain for this afternoon.

We'll be painting at Lido Beach right here in Sarasota. The temp will be about 63 degrees today.Perfect painting temps !

Everyone has arrived in town and we're all excited to start.

Talk later...
www.artworkshops.homestead.com

Plein Air Painter - Niagara Falls

The Sarasota/Longboat Key plein air painting workshop is just a short 2 wks away !

I'm excited to be able to paint outdoors again after the last month of cold, since returning from 2 wks painting in beautiful St. Lucia.

As you may know, this part of Florida is my favorite to paint. It has everything all in one place - water, lush greenery, quaint street scenes...let's hope it doesn't have snowscenes...lol

If you're in Florida, drive down for the weekend and join us. The workshop is two days Feb 27 & 28 from 10:00 am - 4:30pm for $275.00 pp - instruction only and PayPal is available for convenience. Notice how it's already starting to stay light longer ? I noticed on Fri, it was still light at 5pm EST.

FLORIDA WORKSHOP INFO HERE

Plein Air Painter - Artworkshops

Plein Air Painters -Come in from the Cold...


Tired of the Cold Yet ?

All info at ARTWORKSHOPS

FLORIDA
MYRTLE BEACH
NIAGARA FALLS
NIAGARA ON THE LAKE
BEND, OREGON
MONHEGAN ISLAND 5 DAY
MONHEGAN WEEKEND

Call the studio at 1 800 393-7270 for more info
Registration conveniently available online for each workshop

Plein air painter - St. Lucia plein air painting

Plein air painter - St. Lucia plein air painting

My decision to bring Golden OPEN acrylics to St. Lucia, instead of regular acrylics or my preferred oils, was a bigger decision than I imagined.

The first few days, I did some uncomplicated sketches and really didn't notice any issues.Other than I realized after the first, I did not care for the support of linen with this medium.

A few days ago, I did a few larger paintings and the learning curve began...
There were issues with repainting a few areas and when I packed up, both paintings were considerably wet and had to be hand carried back.

So, I decided yesterday to delve into the written material, to get more of a feel for the medium and do some experimenting before I venture out again.


Jacq
www.jrbaldini.com
If you haven't tried the Golden OPEN, or for that matter, the Chroma Interractive, you'll find that they are really neither like acrylics you may have mastered or oils.
It may have been better from the get go to just name them something else. This would have been less confusing for me to have them out on location behaving in an unfamiliar manner.

So, I read the materials and did some small studies. Here's what I found so far...
They blend well, but as they set a bit, they can be pulled back up off the canvas, much like you can wipe your oils or to some extent, lift the color from heavier watercolor papers.While wet - which according to the materials is about an hour, ( this was influenced by the environment here in St. Lucia)They can be blended. After that, they lift with water and to my dismay, the clump in tiny bits when you add the thinner at that point, contrary to what the materials stated...

Going on location with them again today
More later...

Plein air painter - St Lucia

Plein air painter - St. Lucia
Johnny cakes, hot from the tiny bakery down the street for breakfast this morning.
And yesterday this interesting lunch was delivered to the pier where I was painting.
A very delicately season fish with plaintains and what they call spaghetti and shaved carrots,with a mild unidentifiable juice - very refreshing and I only had to take a 10 minute break from painting.


Will try to post more photos later, as the connection comes and goes.
www.jrbaldini.com
plein air painting

Plein Air Painter - St Lucia Workshop

Plein Air Painter - St Lucia Workshop
In just a few days I'll be heading to St. Lucia for some plein air painting and a bit of R&R.
Looking forward to painting with the Lucian Plein Air painters again.
I am also greatly looking forward to sun, sun, sun !!



I'll try to post update depending on my connections while I'm there.
Alcina, Cecil, Peggy and all ...see you very soon !!

If you don't know St. Lucia, it's called the 'Helen of the West Indies'.
I renamed it the 'Heaven of the West Indies'.

St Lucia has a temp of about 80 degrees in winter and the most dramatic cloud formations you have ever seen. I call them 'passion clouds'...

In 3 days, I will be the one with the biggest smile on my face.

Happy New Year to All !!

ARTWORKSHOPS

Plein Air Painter workshop- Florida Feb 2010

Plein Air Painter workshop- Florida Feb 2010

Still a few spots left for the en plein air oil/acrylic Feb 27-28 Sarasota/Longboat Key workshop.

Please go th the ARTWORSHOPS website to learn more.
Two days of painting outdoors - FLORIDA - FEBRUARY = SOUND GOOD ?
Come join us as we explore the Florida landscape.

ALL LEVELS WELCOME

Plein Air Painter Auction Ends Today At 5 EST

Plein Air Painter Auction Ends TODAY at 5:00 pm EST
Workshops- Art Supplies - Paintings !!
Free shipping on any painting within the US



Plein Air Painter Auction Ends TODAY at 5:00 pm EST

Free shipping on any painting within the US

Plein Air Painting Workshop- St. Lucia Caribbean

Plein Air Painting Workshop- St. Lucia Caribbean
Oil/Acrylic painting workshop is hands on with full days of painting
and critiques.

St. Lucia, Pitons, Oil on canvas(John Turchin Art Gallery)
Classes will be held from 10 am - 4:30 pm daily.

Demonstrations capturing light patterns using grisalle and composition
will be emphasized. Critiques will be held for suggestion and
individual critiques can be arranged for some of your current work.
Days are spent painting in and around the Rodney Bay & surrounding
areas.
The workshop is very *Caribbean*, very relaxed.
Why not treat yourself to an exotic, fun, learning holiday?

$475. US funds pp for 4 day workshop instruction only.
$400. US funds pp for 3 day workshop instruction only.
$300. US funds pp for 2 day workshop instruction only.
Participants are responsible for their own materials, travel
arangements, food & accomodations

http://artworkshops.homestead.com/stlucia.html

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE for the Holidays

PRINTS OF THE CARIBBEAN
http://www.cafepress.ca/perfect_gift

Plein Air Painter - SILENT AUCTION

Plein Air Painter Silent Auction
From December 6 - 16, 2009SILENT AUCTION :

Items will be up from Dec 6 - 16 at 5:00pm


Items are numbered with a minimum bid.
ITEM will be sold to highest bidder ( all bids will be kept private)
Complete list of ITEMS for AUCTION HERE

WINNER WILL BE E-MAILED AT THE END OF THE BIDDING - PAYPAL only
You do not need a PAYPAL account - Credit Cards can be used.
See THE AUCTION ITEMS AVAILABLE HERE

shipping is included anywhere in the US by USPS if applicable
for flat $5.00 US standard shipping only.
Insurance is the responsibility of the bidder if desired.
We suggest insurance at this time of year.

A portion of proceeds will be donated to a local charity.

Plein Air Painter Mini Auction

Watch for Plein Air Painter Mini Auction coming up this week.
Includes Workshops,painting studies,art supplies,memberships and more

Link will be posted soon !

NEW WORKSHOPS for WINTER 2010Jan 6-10 ST LUCIA CARIBBEAN

Feb 27-28 SARASOTA/LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA

Plein Air Painter - Holiday Gifts for the ARTIST & Art Posters

The PERFECT GIFT Shop online has
Personalized gifts for the Plein Air Painter, Artist DIVA and Fine Art Posters from Niagara Falls, the Caribbean and Maine.Artist Gifts and Art Posters
A NEW online Gift store to get some personalized gifts for the Artist on your Holiday list.
Or look through Art Posters of Maine, St Lucia,or Niagara Falls for something for the wall, or a stocking stuffer.
All designs are Original
Ordering is easy online.

Click HERE
to see our online Gift Shop.

The Holidays are just around the corner and you need the PERFECT GIFT

Plein Air Painter - A Week in Heaven -CARIBBEAN art workshops

Plein Air Painter - Caribbean art workshops


I will be returning to St. Lucia in January 2010 for my 9th trip to the island.
Previously, I have taught both painting and photography workshops for 8 years each January called a Week in Heaven.

Participants have a choice of 2-3 or 4 day workshop in oil or acrylic plein air painting.
More info HERE

Plein Air Painter - Last workshop & LOCAL COLOR the Movie

Plein Air Painter - Last workshop & LOCAL COLOR the Movie



The last of the outdoor workshop in Niagara Falls was this past weekend.
The weather was a bit chilly but the creativity and enthusiasm was flowing !



On Sunday we painted at the School of Horticulture and on Monday, we painted
at Dufferin Islands.

Last month I got the chance to work with some of the best Artists working today.
American Artist magazine Masters Weekend featured Richard Schmid, Kevin Macpherson,Frank Serrano, Skip Whitcomb to name a few.
I also met Director/Producer/Artist George Gallo who did a sunrise demo in Glen Eyrie
Park in Colorado Springs.
If you have not seen his life inspired film LOCAL COLOR - see it soon.
We had a showing in Colorado & just today, I received my own copy.

A heartwarming film.
Artworkshops

Plein Air Painter Workshop - Sarasota, Florida

Plein Air Painter Workshop - Sarasota, Florida.

February 27 and 28, 2010 are the scheduled dates for the Sarasota/Longboat Key Florida plein air painting art workshop in oil or acrylic.

Escape from the Winter temps and join us for a personal growth painting workshop.

Having just finished some interractions/mini workshops with artists like Kevin Macpherson, Skip Whitcomb and Richard Schmid,I can't begin to tell you what a boost
being able to work beside other artists is...

If you are a starting painter, this workshop will give you guided direction. If you're a seasoned painter, renew your passion, nurture your heart and soul, capturing the beautiful florida landscape.

Workshop fee for instruction only is $275.00.
Paypal available for your convenience.
More info on website - Click HERE

Know someone else who may be interested ?
Gift Certifcates make wonderful & special Holiday Gifts.

1 800 393-7270

Plein Air Painter - Whoopie Pies

What would a trip to New England be without Whoopie Pies ?
We found a place that had a good variety called WICKED WHOOPIES
They were pretty good but, my favorite can be bought at the Rockland Cafe.

Going home, we stopped at the Thomaston Cafe

This Sunday Brunch was mucho yummy - yes, that is Lobster in my eggs !

Plein Air Painter- Last of the Summer Artworkshops

American Contemporary Plein Air Painter
Last of the Summer Art Workshops

More Information and latest newsletter HERE

Maine, Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake


Plein air painting workshops

Call the studio at 1 800 393-7270
ARTWORKSHOPS WEBSITE

Plein Air Painter - Niagara Falls

Plein Air Painter workshops at Niagara Falls.

This painting of the Canadian Falls was painted on Friday.
The weather was iffy but, held out for the day workshop.
The mist from the Falls rose diagonally to become one of the amazing clouds on the dramatic, overcast morning.



Canadian Falls
"Overcast Morning"
12x12 Oil on Linen
Framed in a plein air frame
AVAILABLE FOR YOUR COLLECTION

Inquiry
1 800 393-7270