It's often been observed that the working life of a painter can be a supremely lonely one as the solitary and enticing comfort of a studio offers up a controlled environment in which to makes attempts at capturing what the eye sees and translating what the mind holds. But too much comfort is a dangerous thing, tending to yield very deep creative ruts--much like that ginormous groove you've molded in the couch with your keister over the years--and that's when ya need to breakout and do something new.
As luck would have it just such a something is coming up this September and it's called the 3rd Annual Milwaukee Plein Air Competition! "What's it all about?" you may well ask. Well, it's a ten-day event during which artisans who go by the humble title of Painter will be slappin', brushin', scrapin' and blendin' the colorful, somewhat stinky goo of their stock and trade on canvas, paper, board, and many other flat surfaces all over downtown Miltown. And they're gonna do it outdoors, right in plein sight of everybody, so if you're of the painterly persuasion ya might wanna join the brave souls who've already registered by signing up yourself.
Organized and presented by The League of Milwaukee Artists (LMA) and Wisconsin Visual Artists (WVA), this year's Milwaukee Plein Air Competition will be held throughout a vast area, with boundaries encompassing Downtown, the Riverwalk, Lake Michigan, Westown, and the Historic Third Ward. That gives ya a ton of inspiring spots to choose from. Added incentive: There's gonna be some nice sums of cash handed out to a mighty talented few and 30% of the proceeds from sales of artists paintings will be given to the fantastic folks at Artists Working in Education (AWE). Whoot!
Early registration for the Milwaukee Plein Air Competition is just $35, but ya gotta do it before August 25. After that, the fee goes up to $45. Students, by the way, can pony up $15 no matter when they register.
The event will proceed as follows:
September 10-17--Get your canvas, paper, board, etc. stamped at 610 N. Water Street on September 10-17 from 8-10AM OR September 10 from 5-7PM. You can also register during these times if ya haven't already.
Pick a painting spot that's sure to challenge your skills, anywhere within the boundaries of Juneau Avenue on the North, Erie Street on the South, Old World 3rd Street on the West, and Lake Michigan on the East.
September 12--Be super adventurous and participate in the Quick Paint special juried competition from 8AM to 12PM. Artwork not to exceed 30" x 30". Awards: 1st Place $250; 2nd Place $150 Artist & Display gift certificate; 3rd Place $75 Utrecht gift certificate.
September 16 & 17--Submit up to two 30" x 30", ready-to-hang (no alligator hangers) masterpieces on September 16th from 5-7PM OR September 17 from 3-7PM. Oil painters take note: Painted sides must be acrylic.
September 18--Wait breathlessly as Bill DeLind of DeLind Gallery and Nicole Reid from the Tory Folliard Gallery judge your artwork at 10AM and bestow four award honors, complete with cash money: Best of Show $2,000; 1st Place $1,200; 2nd Place $900; 3rd Place $500.
Enjoy watching art aficionados fight over the right to take your work home at the Silent Auction from 12-8PM. Even if ya can't be there all day, make time to show up for the Meet the Artists Reception from 5-9PM and a live performance by Annie B.
September 19--On the off chance your work didn't sell during the Silent Auction, no worries 'cause there's an Open Sale scheduled from 10AM-4PM this day.
Still sittin' on the fence as to whether ya really want the whole of the city to witness your process? Maybe this'll get ya down from there: The original 19th Century plein air crowd included a few who are so phenomenally famous today we only need hear their surnames to have their works jump to the forefront of our brainpans: Monet, Pissarro, Renoir. Just had a rapid flashing before your peepers, didn't ya? Course ya did. While there's no guarantee that your work will gain the timeless adoration of the planet, demanding prices that make Bill Gates check with his accountant before buying, ya never know 'til ya try.
Link (Thanks, Sally & Alisyn!)
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