Click here for Article in OPA about PAPNM Member, Ellen Buselli, a lovely story about providing solace to others with pet portraits.

From Ellen: "Sometimes I have wondered:  What is the meaning of a painter’s life?  We are not saving lives or curing cancer.  I do know that there is power in art, and it can bring solace and comfort during times of sadness. "

Peggy: "I woke up to great news and want to say thank you to Bold Brush Art Contests & Exhibits, Fine Art Studio Online and Judge of Awards, Brienne Brown for selecting "Morning Reverie" 20x20 Oil as a Finalist in the February 2022 online exhibition."

In addition, Peggy was highlighted in the Bold Brush Newsletter:

Biography

Peggy was born in Phoenix, Arizona, lived in Boston for over thirty years, and ultimately returned to her western roots when she and her husband, Steve, settled in Taos, New Mexico, where they now live. Her educational background includes architectural studies at Arizona State University and classes at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston MA, the DeCordova Museum School, Lincoln, MA, and the Silvermine Arts Center, New Canaan, CT. She is a Master Signature Member of Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, a Signature Member of Plein Air Artists Colorado, and a Member of Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters. Peggy's paintings have been included in national exhibitions and have received numerous awards including a Best of Show in 2013 in the MAA Exhibition at the Museum of the Southwest in Midland, TX, a Best of Show at the 2013 Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Annual Juried Exhibition, and a Best of Show Trustees' Award at the 2014 Millicent Rogers Museum Annual Miniature Exhibition in Taos, NM. Her most recent awards include the Artists Choice Award for "Winter Impression" at the 2019 Plein Air Artists Colorado National Juried Exhibition, First Place for "Grandpa Tied the Flies" at the 2021 Sedona Plein Air Festival, Sedona AZ , and a Best of Show Trustees' Award for "Golden Light" at the 2022 Millicent Rogers Museum Annual Miniature Exhibition in Taos, NM .

   Margi Lucena and Natasha Isenhour, PAPNM Signature members, awards at the prestigious 16th Borrego springs Plein Air Invitational:

Congratulations, Margi and Natasha!!.

When the participating artists voted for Body of Work the award went to Margi Lucena for her pastels. Lucena also won the Curator Emerita award for Best Pastel with "Coyote Canyon Creek."

And visitors to the exhibition on March 11 selected Natasha Isenhour’s "Siesta at the Hacienda" (8 x 16 in., oil) for People’s Choice.

The exhibition will hang at the Borrego Art Institute in Borrego Springs, California, through April 3, 2022.

Note that only 13 artists were invited to this prestigious event.

https://www.borregoartinstitute.org/event-4317051

Our very own Master Signature PAPNM Member has her painting on the cover of Plein Air Magazine this month AND on the cover of the 2022 PACE Guide! Congratulations, Joe Anna!!

From Joe Anna:

"  I just opened the May issue of Plein Air Magazine. To my delight and honor, the editor used one of my New Mexico paintings on the cover of the 2022 Plein Air Convention and Expo Guide. I'll be going and serving as a Field Instructor, helping artists during our outdoor painting excursions. If you would like to check out the convention, go to https://pleinairconvention.com/ . I would love to see you there and paint together. "

Land of Resilience-John Meister

Excellent article filled with plein air painting tips (originally published 2018 but so timely for the upcoming PACE visitors from out of state): 

https://www.outdoorpainter.com/land-resilience-face-decay-new-mexico-plein-air-tips/?fbclid=IwAR2TCWxCrTYu5PbYM8Lnhs5Fcxm3bVKx5SKk8ob500e835prjRysSz8gswU

First few paragraphs: 

Plein Air Painting in New Mexico’s High Desert
By John Meister, 2018 President of Plein Air Painters of New Mexico
Article originally published in 2018

We call it the “Land of Enchantment,” and some people get it the minute they step out of the airport. Others spend years here before they realize it is part of them. For the visitor, the ancient history, the amazing sites, and the diversity of culture, provide a host of experiences. This is a place where stories are born. This is New Mexico.

As for me, I grew up in Austin, Texas and have now lived in Albuquerque for 28 years. It is where much of my family is from, so we made the drive from Austin, across the West Texas plains and into a terrain full of features that intrigued a young boy looking out of the rear window.

The city of my childhood essentially had two halves of the year — sticky-green summer and dense-wet winter. Now, living in a place with four distinct seasons, I appreciate the small day-to-day changes between each of them, and how moisture, temperature, and wind are players in a game to sustain life or break it down. Everything, from plants to mountains, must have a little extra advantage to survive here, and it is their resilience in the face of decay that produces the extraordinary landscape that we painters enjoy.

The Rewards of an Artist Residency

PAPNM Signature member, Nancy Silvia chosen as artist spotlight in Outdoor Painter - March 2022:

https://www.outdoorpainter.com/artist-spotlight-nancy-silvia/

First few interview questions:

How did you get started and then develop your career?

Nancy Silvia: From a young age I’ve identified as an artist, pursued an education in art, and have been painting my entire life. I don’t consider what I do a “career,” but my life’s journey.

How do you describe success?

Success means being able to continue to paint, achieve recognition for my accomplishments, and to exhibit and sell my paintings.

How do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in everything that I see, particularly landscape. An artist may not always find inspiration easily, but if you just show up in the studio or out in the field, get to work, then inspiration will find you!

OPA published an article by Michele on how she uses Dynamic Symmetry. Congratulations. This article has generated a lot of excitement: 

Full article: Dynamic Symmetry in Paintings

First few paragraphs:

DYNAMIC SYMMETRY – And how I incorporate it into my plein air and studio and practice

Michele Byrne · Mar 14, 2022 · 22 Comments

We’ve all heard of the Golden Section, Dynamic Symmetry, the rule of thirds and harmonic armatures. And we’ve always been told to do a value study before we start a painting. However, in our rush to get started painting, many of us disregard it all and jump right in to putting brush to canvas.

Six years ago, I made a pledge to NEVER skip a value study before plein air painting. Soon after, I learned how to design my pieces with a “thrust map” as well. This is a simple 2” study done on a 4”x6” index card with pencil or markers. I indicate the Dominant Vertical (DV), Dominant Horizontal (DH) and Dominant Diagonal (DD). Ideally where all of these lines meet will be my focal point.

May 17-21

PAPNM Members on the 2022 Plein Air Convention and Expo Faculty:

1. Joe Anna Arnett
2. Michele Byrne
3. Albert Handell
4. Natasha Isenhour
5. Michael Chesley Johnson
6. Spike Ress

May 12 - Jun 19
 

Congratulations to the PAPNM Members accepted into the show: Lyn Bonham, Michele Byrne AIS, Jane Chapin AIS, Katherine Irish, Spike Ress  6th Annual AIS Impressions: Small Works Showcase

Wilder Nightingale Fine Art May 12-June 19, 2022 Taos, New Mexico

152 artists were juried into the exhibition from 1,304 entries!!Full acceptance list