Blog

I was on the PAAC Board from October 2012 to December 2018

Plein Air Artists Colorado (PAAC) started in the early 90s.  They organize weekly and monthly painting outings for all artists who want to attend.  PAAC Members can enter their plein air work in PAAC's Annual National Juried Exhibition and Sale, and can attend destination paint-outs and special workshops.

When I was working in the office full-time, I followed PAAC's Paint-Out schedule and wished I could attend.

When I took a break from full-time work in 2012, my wish came true.

My first PAAC paint-out was February 2012 at Hudson Gardens.  Through PAAC, I've met artists who are still close friends to this day, became comfortable painting outdoors, discovered favorite painting locations, and had opportunities to sell my work.

Later in 2012, I heard the current PAAC Board had decided to retire and was looking for new people to take charge of the group.  I decided to pitch in to help keep PAAC going.

2012 Board - Deborah McAllister, Debra Joy Groesser, Jennifer Riefenberg, and me

While on the board, I enjoyed the experience of working with artists, galleries, and art magazines.

I also:

Communicated with members via emails and monthly newsletters.

Oversaw a project to update the PAAC logo.

Transferred the website to  a new platform that is more interactive for members, allowing them to communicate via a forum on the home page, and to update their own profile page.

Coordinated Destination Paint-Outs, Special Events, and Annual Shows.

Destination Paint-Outs

April 2013

Fredericksburg, TX - during the Bluebonnet season

We painted by invitation at private properties around Fredericksburg - with beautiful views, ranch houses and barns, windmills, chickens, cows, an old German homestead, and Guadalupe river near Comfort TX, in a place lined by cypress trees.

July 2013

Crested Butte, CO, during the Wildflower Festival

Destination Paint-Out, Don Sahli workshop, and wet wall at Oh Be Joyful Gallery for over 75 artists.

The wildflowers were the best we'd ever seen!

We painted along Gothic Road, Kebler Pass, Washington Gulch Road, Slate River Rd, Brush Creek Rd, Cement Creek Rd, and in town.

Painting along Gothic Road

"Valley View"

8x10

Hanging the Wet Wall at Oh Be Joyful Gallery

September 2014

Grand Junction, CO

Destination Paint-Out and wet wall at Powderhorn Ski Area for Color Sunday.

The fall color was at it's peak!

We painted at Colorado National Monument, Turkey Flats, Gateway Mesa, Grand Mesa,  a vineyard in Palisade, and Cross Orchards Historic Site.

Wet Wall at Powderhorn Ski Area

September 2015

Grand Lake, CO

Destination Paint-Out and wet wall at Grand Lake Art Gallery

We painted in Grand Lake Village and surrounding areas, and in Rocky Mountain National Park along Trail Ridge Rd.

Show opening at Grand Lake Art Gallery

May 2015

Santa Fe, NM

Destination Paint-Out in conjunction with Plein Air Painters of New Mexico

We painted  at Santa Fe Plaza, Canyon Rd, Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve, Ghost Ranch and Las Golondrinas.

"Wetlands"

8x10

Special Events

August 2013

Williams Scott Jennings - PAAC workshop in the Denver metro area

September 2018

Creative Capitol Show in Denver, CO

Annual PAAC National Exhibit and Sale

I worked with galleries, managed jurors and entries in CaFE, sent notifications to artists, and helped with show preparations.

August 2013 and August 2014

17th and 18th annual shows at Abend Gallery in Denver, CO

July 2015, September 2016, and October 2017

19th, 20th, and 21st annual shows at Mary Williams Gallery in Boulder, CO

Article in Plein Air Magazine

October 2018

Show Chair for 22nd annual show at Sorrel Sky Gallery in Durango, CO

Presenting an Award of Merit to Andrea Gabel

In December 2018, after 6 exciting years of fun and hard work, I retired from the board so I could spend more time designing and painting.