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Not too long ago I was asked by an officer of the Outdoor Painters Society to submit my impressions of their signature event Plein Air Southwest 2019.....

My main reason for entering Plein Air Southwest 2019 was that the event was being held in Galveston, TX.  I had never been there but always wanted to go.  I am a former charter boat captain who was raised on the water.  I love boats and ships of all kinds.  I knew Galveston had a seaport with a tall ship, a commercial fishing fleet and lots of historic architecture.  So, I figured, even if the event was a bust, I’d at the least come home with some great reference material for studio work.   It took no time at all for the city to grab ahold of me.  Driving into town along Broadway Ave. I did a double take at Old City Cemetery with its weathered grave markers, mausoleums covered with decades of patina.  And best of all it was teeming with yellow wildflowers.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  “Amazing”, I thought, “I’m going to paint here first!”  I think that place lit a spark because as I ventured into the historic section of downtown everything began to look eminently paintable. 

"Tall Ship Elissa" 16x16; oil

Most artists will tell you that one of the best things about competing on the plein air circuit is the camaraderie of other artists.  You catch up with old friends and meet new ones all along the way.  You also make some pretty good painting buddies who become like family.  One mid-week morning, with heavy rain in the forecast, I called Spencer Meagher and asked what his plans for the day were.  He said he was looking for something to paint. Out of pure impulse, I asked if he wanted to “go paint that tall ship”.  “Sure”, was the reply.  I piled into his van and we drove down to Fisherman’s Wharf.  Having previously done reconnaissance I knew of a sheltered spot, with a good vantage point, which was accessible by cutting through the back deck of a closed restaurant.  I knew which gates were unlocked and just how to get to the sheltered sea wall.  If there were any jitters about this covert approach they dissipated when staff from both the restaurant and the Texas Seaport Museum approved of our presence.  Pretty soon we were drinking complementary coffee and painting.  We were high and dry when the rains started…except for the fact that I left my backpack under a downspout.  Oops! It got soaked!  But by then I was in a decent rhythm and wasn’t going to worry about it.  I was enjoying the challenge of painting a gray ship, on a gray day.  My objectives were to express the subtle colors of the scene.  Include a variety of thick and thin passages.  Create a variety of edges.  And employ the power of suggestion to depict the rigging.  It helped that the ship had a red boot stripe which counterbalanced all the cool grays and greens.  The result was an atmospheric, moody painting that, thankfully, the judge really liked.  My painting “The Tall Ship Elissa” received Best of Show.  I’ve received awards before, but this was my first Best of Show in a national level event.  I’m tickled to have been so fortunate because there were a lot of deserving works by a lot of deserving artists in the show.  I congratulate all the award winners including Spencer Meagher who received an award for his painting of Elissa as well.

Having participated in a fair number of plein air events, including the best of the best, it seems natural to compare experiences.  Compared to the top shows PASW is a fledgling event.   But they made great strides by smartly partnering with the Galveston Historical Foundation.  The Outdoor Painters Society has a lot to be proud of and seems poised to take a great event to the next level.  They have a fabulous city to host the event.  And Galveston has so much to offer.  The townspeople were enthusiastic and accommodating.  We all felt welcome and appreciated.  Host housing was fantastic.  I enjoyed a charming one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the historic district within walking distance to the harbor.  The exhibition space was excellent.  And the show was well attended.  And sales, yes there were sales!

The subject matter for artists in Galveston is spectacular!  There’s the harbor with its shipping industry, commercial fishing fleet, cruise ships, railways and industrial complexes.  There is an historic downtown with an abundance of amazing architecture not to mention a seemingly endless supply historic mansions and homes.  The long public beach features a very colorful amusement park.  And it’s all close together.  I don’t think I traveled more than a mile or two to find something to paint.  There are so many good paintings there waiting to be painted you can bet I’ll be back again and again. 

Incidentally, I did do my first painting of the week at Old City Cemetery.  It was a success.  The same collectors who acquired “The Tall Ship Elissa” also acquired “A Splendid Repose”.  So, I think I’ll start 2020’s event amidst those yellow blooms and old souls again.

"A Splendid Repose" (Old City Cemetery)

20 x 16 oil/linen