President’s Message Blog

Lots going on in PAPNM!   

We just wrapped up a very successful Taos Plein Air  hosted by Rob Nightingale at Nightingale Fine art Gallery and the E. L. Blumenschein in Taos. Our intrepid plein air warriors were able to get out in small safe groups or alone and create beauty to mark an unusual year of enough water to scatter wildflowers in every highway median strip and every vacant piece of land in New Mexico.  This group came together to make the Taos show one of the the best we have had in sales and enthusiastic attendance. Many thanks to the Event team headed up by Dick Wimberly and Beth Cooper.  Check out the albums from this show 2021 Taos Plein Air Juried Paint Out and Show.

We are on track for an exceptional 13th National Exhibition of the best from the best of PAPNM for 2021. Per Carole Bellivieu, Co-Chair and PAPNM VP "Sorrel Sky has been a joy to work with and we appreciate their care and enthusiasm”. You probably saw the email that came out earlier this month looking for for volunteers to help at the event.  

The National Team has launched Sign Up Genius so that you may volunteer your time and efforts to the National Juried Members Show at Sorrel Sky Gallery. The show is a strong one with the best painting by our members this year. We know you will want to participate to make it a success. I encourage you to go to the following link to sign up to help. No job is too small. Join us in this celebration of a year well painted!  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4aaea72ca1f49-13th

For more information check out: 2021 13th National Juried Members Exhibition

Paint out this week: Aspen Vista Picnic Area on October 16, 2021 from 9-12noon at Aspen Vista Picnic Area (and trailhead) Hyde Park Rd (HWY 475), 9.5  miles beyond 10,000 Waves Spa.  For more information and online registration, please click: Paint Out Schedule for the Year. Many thanks fo our Paint out coordinator Charles Coutret, 505-903-9247,  ccoutret@outlook.com

Please join me in welcoming our new members:

• Bonnie Coe of Santa Fe New Mexico
• Mitra Devon of Santa Fe, New Mexico
• April Gilbert of Corrales, New Mexico
• Amy Sommer of Glen Rock New Jersey
• Elaine Weisman of Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Susan Woelk of Chamisal, New Mexico 

A reminder about our partners in the art world.  We recently entered an agreement with Fine Art Store,  https://www.fineartstore.com  such that when a PAPNM artist purchases material from their site and self identifies as a PAPNM member in the notes section at checkout, we can earn up to 5% credit that Fine Art Store will be able to extend digital gift cards that we can in turn use for prizes at our events.  We all need more supplies, right?

Its that time of year to consider how you might get involved with the PAPNM Board of Directors.  You each received an email from Natasha Isenhour in September outlining our call for nominations for the Board and other volunteer opportunities.  Please contact Natasha (natashaisenhour@gmail.com) to discuss your interests either as a potential board member or a member of one of the teams supporting the board. Together we all make this organization special! 

Our next board meeting will be in November. I will send out the link for that meeting in my next email to you.  Until then, happy painting!

Phyllis Gunderson, President

Plein Air Painters of New Mexico

As we welcome September and soon fall there is a lot going on in Plein Air Painters of New Mexico.  Hope this month’s note finds you well and enjoying the opportunity to paint the American landscape!

Welcome NEW PAPNM members:  I would like to welcome on behalf of the organization the following new members to our painting group:

• Chris Perkins from Durango, Colorado
• Emily Donahue from Albuquerque, New Mexico
• William Lowe from Taos, New Mexico
• Mary Patty Ettinger from Montrose, Colorado

Upcoming Events:

Online Event: 

2021 Summer Skies Online Contest.  

• PAPNM Artist, Signature and Master Signature members are invited to participate in the 2021 Summer Skies Online Contest with paintings highlighting the beautiful summer skies and clouds from across the country.  Painting Period: Jun 21 - Sept 10, 2021. Out-of-state members are strongly encouraged to participate.  Upload your summer painting to the: 2021 Summer Skies Contest Album 
• Voting Period: Sept 12 - 20. (Patrons will be able to join the Artist,  Signature and Master Signature members in the vote)

Paint Outs:  

• Check out our  Paint Out Schedule for the Year. 
• Have an idea for a paint out, contact Beth Cooper!
• Next scheduled is the October Paint Out at the San Francisco Asis Mission Church and Ranchos de Taos Plaza on 2 Oct. at 9am @ St Francis Plaza, Ranchos de Taos, NM

• Juried Events

• Taos Plein Air - Painting the Enchanted Circle Arrangements continue to be refined by Dick Wimberly and his hard working team.  Watch for announcements at the 2021 Taos Plein Air Juried Paint Out and Show as well as emails from the event team.  It looks to be a great event.

• 13th National Juried Members Exhibition Carole Bellivieu and her team are working hard to ensure we have a fabulous premier event this year.  Want to help out.  Contact Carole. check out the  2021 13th National Juried Members Exhibition event page for details  

A reminder about our partners in the art world.  We recently entered an agreement with Fine Art Store,  https://www.fineartstore.com such that when a PAPNM artist purchases material from their site and self identifies as a PAPNM member in the notes section at checkout, we can earn up to 5% credit that Fine Art Store will be able to extend digital gift cards that we can in turn use for prizes at our events.  We all need more supplies, right?  

Our next board meeting is on 17 September, 09:30 AM Mountain Time. To join the Zoom call click on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89277783517?pwd=MW8weTFrNk12NzdZRWI2bng2bEEydz09. As always please join with your microphone muted and open chat.  if you have questions or comments, please put them in chat and we will address them during the board member reports or at the end of the meeting.  

Take care all, and happy paining along the trails and byways of New Mexico or what ever beautiful state you reside.  

Best Regards,  
Phyllis Gunderson, President  
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico

Happy August Plein Air Painters!  Hope this month’s note finds you all painting away in some of the best weather of the year!

Announcements:

• I would like to thank Anita West, Signature member who has reluctantly given us her resignation from the Board of Directors as our Historian due to other pressing commitments and scheduling conflicts.  On behalf of the rest of the Board I would like to thank Anita for her contributions in in her role and support to the rest of the board members.  While she will be missed at our meetings, we know she is not far away for a consultation or two. If would would be willing to be considered for this position for the remainder fo the year, please contact Natasha Isenhour, Past President.

• The second announcement I would like to make is that we have amongst our midst a new Signature Member - Carole Bellivieu.  Carole has completed the rigorous evaluation process for PAPNM Signature status by unanimous recommendation of the Evaluation Team and the Board of Directors. If you don’t already know Carole here are a few excerpts from her impressive biography

• Carole Belliveau was raised just outside New York City and attended Parsons School of Design in Manhattan for a year. Later she taught herself sculpture to craft one of a kind and limited edition dolls. Her own signature collection under the name Carole Bowing Dolls was introduced at the International Toy Fair each year to a large following of fans, and she won many International Doll of the Year Awards. She also designed dolls and teddy bears for some of the largest toy companies such as Zapf, Hasbro and Marie Osmond Dolls. 

• Carole moved west in 1997 and was excited by the unlimited vistas, incandescent color, a landscape of drama and light and was inspired to paint. After working in pastel for a number of years and selling through galleries, she entered The Academy of Art University in San Francisco graduating Cum Laude with a BFA in painting at age 62.  

• Carole has won many awards most notably the Grand Prize Winner of the Cadmium Award at TRAC 2019, and both the FASO BoldBrush Award in Oil and the Outstanding BoldBrush in Acrylic. She is a member of The Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society and has earned Signature Status in American Women Artists, and now Plein Air Painters of New Mexico and Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association. She served as both President and Signature Chair of Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association for several years and now serves as Vice President of PAPNM. Her work is in both public and private collections, notably in the Monterey California Courthouse. Congratulations Carole!  

  

Welcome NEW PAPNM members:  I would like to welcome on behalf of the organization the following new members to our painting tribe:

• Larry Day from Carbondale, Colorado

• Addie Draper, from Mountainair, New Mexico

• Ken Foster from Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Christopher James from Santa Fe, New Mexico

• Duncan Lanna from Fort Davis, Texas

• Jim Martin from Amarillo, Texas

• Donna McGee from West Monroe, Louisiana 

• Elizabeth Menand from Ohio City, Colorado

• Ava Morris from Santa Fe, New Mexico

• Gayle Weisfield from Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico

• Jeanmarie Zimmerman from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania 

Upcoming Events:

Paint Outs:

• Check out our  Paint Out Schedule for the Year. We have one coming up in Taos: August Paint Out. Backyard View of Taos Mountain in Taos on 07 Aug 2021 9:00 AM at 2 La Isla Court, Taos NM 87571  Many thanks to the paint out coordinators!!  Do you have an idea for a Paint Out or want to host one, Contact Beth Cooper!

• Juried Events

Speaking of emails, we have heard back that some emails have not gone into your primary inbox. Please check your profile at the PAPNM directory, your email preferences at your profile page and list PAPNM.org as a contact in your contact list so the email system you use will recognize the email as valid and not spam or junk mail.

A reminder about our partners in the art world.  We recently entered an agreement with Fine Art Store,  https://www.fineartstore.com such that when a PAPNM artist purchases material from their site and self identifies as a PAPNM member in the notes section at checkout, we can earn up to 5% credit that Fine Art Store will be able to extend digital gift cards that we can in turn use for prizes at our events.  We all need more supplies, right?

A reminder for the oil painters in the group, the Oil Painters of America (OPA) will be in Santa Fe this month,  Check out their site and join us if you can. Take care all, and happy paining along the trails and byways of New Mexico or what ever beautiful state you reside.

Best Regards,
Phyllis Gunderson, President
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico

Good morning and Happy July. First off I would like to welcome our new members!  Welcome to our wonderful painting group.   Liz Bartlett Culp from Midland Texas Lois Fernandez from Taos, New Mexico Ennis Emily from Santa Fe, New Mexico Lois Fernandez from Taos, New Mexico Melissa Homann from Albuquerque, New Mexico Amy Jordan from Santa Fe, New Mexico David Knox from Fort Collins, Colorado David Mayer from Lafayette, Colorado John Misner from Boyd, Texas Kay Maureen Moses from Albuquerque, New Mexico Joe Munley from Albuquerque, New Mexico Richard Nicholas from Santa Fe, New Mexico Charles Nickerson from Rio Rancho, New Mexico Mary Stovall from Santa Fe, New Mexico Members, please reach out and help us make our new members feel welcome We had several successful paint outs this last month as well as a social at the Albuquerque BioPark Botanical Gardens.  Thank you coordinators for all the hard work to make this happen for us! This month's paint outs are ready for your sign-ups See Paint Out Schedule for the Year for the most up to date information  Rio Grande del Norte NM Gorge Over Look on 3 July starting at 9AM at the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument Slide Trailhead Gilman Tunnels on 17 July starting at 9AM near Jemez Pueblo The 2021 Summer Skies online contest is now open.  You have until 10 September to get the those plein air paintings highlighting the beautiful summer skies and clouds from across the country.  2021 Summer Skies Contest Album  Applications are open for the 13th National Juried Members Exhibition at the Sorrel Sky Gallery in Santa Fe with an opening on October 29th. As you know the Call is open in CafeTM and will close on July 16.  Here is the link to the events page for your reference https://www.papnm.org/2021-13th-National-Juried-Members-Exhibition.  If you have questions on the exhibition and show, please contact the show team.  The chairs are Carole Belliveau, Lee MacLeod, Kat Hansen and Beth Cooper.  This is our premier event for the year.  Get those beautiful plein air paintings ready for submission! Our next Board meeting is July 9 on Zoom.  If you would like to join the meeting here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88552490777?pwd=NXBjbFRWcUZkTG54cVZnTG9VRE8rQT09.  As before, please mute on entering and use the chat function to ask questions or make comments.  We always have more to do than the time allows. If we don't get to your question during the meeting, one of the Board members will get back to you via phone or email.   And finally, Check out the store to purchase PAPNM collector items https://www.papnm.org/papnm-store.  Wishing you all a wonderful and productive month! Phyllis

Reply to this email directly to reach the email sender. Happy Painting and Best Regards all,  Phyllis Plein Air Painters of New Mexico

Dear PAPNM Members and Friends

As I open this month’s missive, I would like to extol the wonderful New Mexico landscape yet again.  I had the rare opportunity to participate in the Ghost Ranch Artist Residency in May, founded and organized by our very own Diane Arenberg.  To say I had a wonderful time focusing on my work would be a massive understatement.  It is truly a magical place and I was so very grateful for the opportunity.  

Welcome to new members!   Folks, lets make sure our new members feel welcome as you see them at PAPNM Paint Outs and Events!

• Liz Bartlett Culp, Midland Texas
  
• Richard Alan Nichols, Taos. New Mexico
  
• Carol Corbin-Kuykendall, Albuquerque. New Mexico
  
• Scott Kuykendall, Albuquerque. New Mexico

In June we have quite a few things happening. Beth Cooper and the Event teams have been really busy arranging for Paint Outs and Events. 

• Couse-Sharp Historic Site Paint Out, Taos NM on 05 Jun 2021, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM @ 146 Kit Carson Road, Taos NM 87571. This event has reached its signup limit. Many thanks for Suzanne Schleck organizing this event.  https://www.papnm.org/event-4224157 
  
• Special Ghost Ranch Paint Out on 11 Jun 2021 – 13 Jun 2021 @ Ghost Ranch. Many thanks for Beth Cooper organizing this event. https://www.papnm.org/event-4311027. 
  
• Central NM Paint Out - Cerrillos Hills State Park, Cerrillos, NM on 19 Jun 2021, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM  Many thanks to Charles Coutret for organizing this event. https://www.papnm.org/event-4255520. 
• Applications for the Taos Plein Air Juried Paint Out and Show - Painting the Enchanted Circle will open up this week. https://www.papnm.org/2021-Taos-Plein-Air-Juried-Paint-Out-and-Show . It should be a great event in September.  Get those paintings ready to submit.  Big thanks to Dick Wimberly and the rest of the events team!!

And for fun we are going to have a Membership Social and Paint Out on 27 Jun 2021 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM at the Albuquerque's Botanical Garden, 2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104.  Consider joining us at this beautiful oasis. 

• PAPNM members are invited to paint and pause for a social at noon. The garden is a mecca of beautiful and unusual plants. The main lawn is a green oasis with plenty of shaded areas for gathering.  
• Painters can bring supplies in backpacks or carts. Pack a lunch or order food from the cafe to pick up. 
• There is plenty of parking at no extra fee. Wear sunscreen, bring an umbrella, and bug repellent is recommended. 
• Restrooms are available and are cleaned and sanitized frequently.  
• At NOON. Meet other artists on the lawn, bring your business cards to exchange, get to know the volunteers.  
• Garden Hours: 9am-5pm. View the Layout Here
• Cost: Adults - $8 (New Mexico Residents*), $12.50 (Non-Residents)Seniors (65+) - $3.50 (New Mexico Residents*), $5.50 (Non-Residents)Military receive $2 off.  Tickets must be purchased online in advance. 
• You can read about the Park's  safety requirements and get information on the Cafe. HERE  
• https://www.papnm.org/event-4341928   Many thanks to Stephanie West for getting this organized!

Some updates from our Communications team lead by Stephanie West

• Update your member profile on PAPNM: New options are available to you. 
• • Log in to papnm.org and click on the little person icon near the top of the screen. 
  • Select 'View Profile.' This is where you can add more information about what you do including other art mediums. 
  • Click on the blue button, "EDIT PROFILE." From here, you can add specific mediums to your profile or other things like a career under 'Other industries.' 
  • Plus, you can upload your artist resume and/or your bio. Don’t miss this opportunity!
• Prepare now for selling Art in 2022: 
• • May is the month Western Art Collector and American Art Collector magazines focus on New Mexico. 
  • If you want exposure (paid or unpaid,) images and stories must be submitted to the magazine’s rep. by March 1. 
  • Other magazines for consideration are Southwest Art, Cowboys and Indians, and New Mexico Magazine, who focus on the Southwest year round.
• We could use your help and expertise! 
  
• • Location Scouts.  Have you ever wanted to be a location scout? Paint out and event chairs need help documenting scenes and locations. Please let us know if you can help out with Images, descriptions and short video footage. Please contact a board member or, email your favorite painting spot info to the event coordinator. 
  • Writers. Do you love to write? Have you a hankering to see your words in the newspaper?   We could use help collaborating to write press releases for our upcoming Ghost Ranch and Taos events. 
  • Please contact Stephanie, the Communications Director, if you can help.

In the coming months, I will be discussing a recurring relationship with the Ghost Ranch and PAPNM.  We are both unique New Mexico resources focusing on our magical landscape.  If you have ideas that would be mutually beneficial for both organizations, drop me a note.  Thank you in advance

And finally; Check out the store https://www.papnm.org/papnm-store. For our 2021 collector items!!

Wishing you all a wonderful and productive month!

Best Regards all, Phyllis 

Dear PAPNM Members and friends

• Jason Adamik from Tijeras, New Mexico
  
• Jeanne Adams from Albuquerque, New Mexico
  
• Rick Alt from Santa Fe, New Mexico
  
• Michelle Baker from Asheville, North Carolina
  
• Didi Bourbon from Santa Fe, New Mexico
  
• Caroline Coutret from Albuquerque, New Mexico
  
• Sheryl Craig from Leedly, Oklahoma
  
• Cindy Fry from Santa Fe, New Mexico
  
• Andy Garcia from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
  
• Deborah Hedrick from Midland, Texas
  
• Angela Jo from Santa Fe, New Mexico
  
• Susan Lange Marshall from Corrales, New Mexico
  
• Teresa Newman from Albuquerque, New Mexico
  
• Denise Rose from Cochiti Lake, New Mexico
  
• Danta Ruiz from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
  
• Nelda Smith from Logan, New Mexico 
  
• Laura Speer from Corrales, New Mexico
  
• Kathryn Stedham from Santa Fe,  New Mexico
  
• Alida Tustison from Pena Blanca, New Mexico
  
• Jonathan Vordermark from Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico
  
• Krysteen Waszak from Albuquerque, New Mexico
  
• Alices Webb from Albuquerque, New Mexico 
  
• Mike Word from Santa Fe, New Mexico
  

Dear PAPNM family

As the weather continues to improve, more and more of us are getting out and enjoying the beauty that surrounds.  I feel particularly grateful for the opportunity to go outside and paint with talented friends. I haven’t been out painting much in the last several months, but recently took the opportunity to try out new hardware to get out to paint. No, I didn’t get a new easel, but rather a new hip; I had a full hip replacement in March.  It's interesting to note that when you can’t seem to do something you dearly love due to issues beyond your control, the return to your passion is all the more sweet. Many of us have stayed away from gatherings and friends for far too long.  As conditions and weather improves, I would encourage you to embrace the opportunity to get out and paint.

I’m excited to report that we will have our first major event starting inabout a week.  The  "Hot Springs, Cool Town" Non-Juried Paint Out and Show in Jemez Springs is in full swing and moving forward our intrepid co-chairs Wendy Ahlm and Susan Nichols have planned and put together a fun and very well organized event.  There may be a spot or two still open for Tobi Clemens workshop.  If interested check it out. We have 60 artists converging on the unique beauty of the Jemez Springs area for the week before the opening.  If I am not mistaken, this is the largest turn out yet for this event. I hope to see you out there!

PAPNM Paint Out are starting up as well.  Check out the PaintOuts page for upcoming events! Thank you to our Paint Out Coordinators for searching out great locations and hosting: CharlesCoutret - Central NM,  Michael Chesley Johnson - Western NM andSuzanne Schleck - Northern NM.  Please remember that when yousign up for a PAPNM Paint Out that you have one of the limited spotsfor that paint out.  While we all know that life happens and things come up, the coordinators would really appreciate you letting them know in advance to not to look for you if you can’t be there.  If you can give advance notice, even better, as we may have someone on awaiting list.

In my last note to all of you I wrote about the upcoming Plein Air Cafe- a virtual meet up once a month on Zoom to talk about all thingsPlein Air Painting. We have had to take a step back from that and willbe looking for a coordinator from the membership to facilitate thecalls.  We should put a formal call in a week or so. Please consider adding your talent to our activities.

A reminder of upcoming eventsreminderw onSigns of Spring - Online Contests  Deadline forentry is June 10, 2021. Taos Plein Air "Painting the Enchanted Circle" JuriedMembers Paint Out and Show.  The openingis September 25, 2021 at the Wilder NightingaleFine Art Gallery in Taos New Mexico.  Call for entry shouldbe in June. Save the Date: Taos Plein Air "Painting the EnchantedCircle" Juried Paint Out and Show  Our chairs forthis event are Beth Cooper, Beth May, Suzanne Schleck,Susan Brown and Dick Wimberly.   13th National Juried Members Exhibition at the Sorrel SkyGallery in Santa Fe with an opening on October 29,2021. Save the Date: 13th National Juried MembersExhibition Call for entry should be in June. The chairs are Carole Belliveau, Lee MacLeod, Kat Hansen  and Beth Cooper Again, wishing you health and creativity as you go forth to interpret the beauty of New Mexico and other state landscapes as Plein Air painters.

Again wishing you the best of health and creativity

Phyllis Gunderson, President PAPNM

Again, wishing you health and creativity as you go forth to interpret the beauty of New Mexico and other state landscapes as Plein Air painters.

Best Regards,  Phyllis Gunderson, President  Plein Air Painters of New Mexico

Good morning members, sponsors and benefactors of PAPNM.  I hope this note finds you and yours healthy, happy and painting our beautiful American landscape. With the weather changing, I would hope to see more of us getting out to capture the beauty that is uniquely ours.  Of course we will follow the guidance from the New Mexico Department of Health guideline as we do in all of our events.  

I would like to update you on just a few of the things your energetic Board and other volunteers are working on your behalf.  If you would like to join us in working our activities, drop me or one of the board members an email. 

We have three events in the works for 2021.  If you would like to add your wonderful talent and energy, please contact your Events Director, Beth Ming Cooper  (elizabethcooper@me.com)

• Jemez Non-Juried Members Paint Out and Show hosted by Jemez Fine Art Gallery, 17346 Hwy. 4, Jemez Springs, NM from April 24 - May 7, 2021.  Our event co-leaders Wendy Alhm and Susan Nichols have arranged a wonderful paint out and event.  In addition there will be a workshop put on by our very own and talented Signature member,  Tobi Clement. Check out the details on the website "Hot Springs, Cool Town" Non-Juried Paint Out and Show in Jemez Springs.  There are still spaces left.  It promises to be a wonderful event.
• Taos Plein Air "Painting the Enchanted Circle" Juried Members Paint Out and Show.  The opening is September 25, 2021 at the Wilder Nightingale Fine Art Gallery in Taos New Mexico.  Call for entry should be in June. Save the Date: Taos Plein Air "Painting the Enchanted Circle" Juried Paint Out and Show  Our chairs for this event are Beth Cooper, Beth May, Suzanne Schleck, Susan Brown and Dick Wimberly.  Watch this space!
• 13th National Juried Members Exhibition at the Sorrel Sky Gallery in Santa Fe with an opening on October 29, 2021.  Save the Date: 13th National Juried Members Exhibition Call for entry should be in June. The chairs are Carole Belliveau, Lee MacLeod, Kat Hansen  and Beth Cooper.

We have started up PAPNM sponsored Paint Outs.  Contact Beth Cooper if you want to host one in your area.  Remember that our planning and registration is in accordance with current NM state health department regulations.

• Western Art Collector Mag. Host-Stephanie West on 6 and 7 March, 2021,  near Moriarty, NM. 2021 Paint Out for Western Art 
• Western NM Paint Out. Host-Michael Chesley Johnson on 20 March at Narrows Picnic Area, south of Grants, NM  Paint Out. Western NM. Host-Michael Chesley Johnson
• Paint Outs will start in the Taos, Santa Fe and other areas in April.  Watch for news on the website.

A reminder to register for our Winter Wonderland Online Contest 2021 Winter Wonderland Contest . Entry closes on March 10, 2021.  Get your beautiful work uploaded.

Our Communications Director, Stephanie West has a wonderful advertising plan in place.  We will be focusing our advertising dollars on Plein Air Magazine, Western Art Collector, Southwest Art, New Mexico Magazine and Taos News.

Vice President Carole Belliveau in partnership with Membership Director Jane Frederick have sent out welcome notes to our new members.  If you see our new members out and about on the byways, say hello.  A warm welcome to new members: Bryant Bullard, Charles Coutret, Sally Delap-John, Jan Marie DeLipsey, Gwen Ethelbah, Sandra Heller, Doug Hemler, Cynthia Inson, Leah Jeffcoat, Julie Kennelly, Tina Little, Ellen Marshall, Teri Smith, Kevin Weckbach!

New offerings…

• Paint Out Stories Paint Out Stories. Our team has started to collect and publish stories from our members.  There are a couple posted.  Check them out.  Get involved and add your story and perspective.
• Coming soon is the Plein Air Cafe - casual chat for members.  This new and innovative activity is the brain child of Beth Cooper will be the 2nd Wednesday of each month on a Zoom call.  Watch the website for the premier. 
• Stephanie West and Wendy Ahlm will be sharing information about PAPNM and the Jemez Paint Out and Show on KRQE TV's New Mexico Living show. The segment will air the first week in March. 
• We now have the ability to accept cash donations online in addition to those that are associated with a show.  You can direct potential donors to our page  (https://www.papnm.org/Donations) to make a non-tax deductible gift to the organization.  We will use those donations in accordance with regulations governing our 501c(6) status to support on events, publicizing the organization and the furtherance of the practice of Plein Air painting.
• Jane Frederick has put a membership card on each of your profiles for you to print out.
• New How To Video links are now being posted on the website.  This will be a valuable resource for not only our newer painters, but also our veterans to see how different setups work in the field.  Check out and subscribe to our You Tube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZX7pLF9ij4Xsd8cy7LnZVg 
• Interested in Plein Air Live?  Sign up from our home page 

Again, wishing you health and creativity as you go forth to interpret the beauty of New Mexico and other state landscapes as Plein Air painters.

Best Regards, 

Phyllis Gunderson, President

Plein Air Painters of New Mexico

First off, I hope this note finds you and those you hold dear healthy and happy.  As we start the new year, I am reminded of all the things for which we can be grateful.  With that perspective, I would like to start my first PAPNM President’s message to you.

• Grateful for the beautiful New Mexico landscape:  I think sometimes the hardest part of painting in New Mexico is deciding where and what to capture on canvas.
• Grateful for the tremendous talent and diversity in the organization:  Quite simply, I am in awe of the talent and accomplishments of this group.  We can all learn so much from each other.
• Grateful for the flexibility of this organization:  Last year had not just a few challanges brought on by the health crisis.  We met them and grew from the experience.
• Grateful for those intrepid painters who have stepped up to be on the Board of Directors this year.  We have large shoes to fill from the last Board. We had our first meeting last week.  What a group!  To reintroduce them to you: 
• • Vice President, Carole Belliveau
  • Treasurer, Ginny Bracht
  • Secretary, Wendy Ahlm
  • Membership Director, Jane Frederick
  • Events Director, Eilizabeth (Beth) Ming Cooper
  • Communications Director, Stephanie West
  • Historian, Anita West
  • Past President, Natasha Isenhour

At the first meeting and accomplished a few important items:  re-look and confirmation of our individual and group roles and responsibilities, setting our direction for the year, creating a preliminary budget and and a review of 2021 planned events.   I am so very pleased with the energy and vibe of this group! I'm confident you will be as well.

Our focus areas for the year:

• Increase membership numbers and participation
• Increase transparency and build enduring relationships with our members
• Increase sales opportunities and resources for our members
• As these goals are admittedly high level, they will give us a framework to work through ideas we have for our organization.  If you have ideas, we would love to hear them and work with you to bring them to life.  Reach out to me or any board member so that we can have a conversation. The list of specific ideas from the board is a pretty long one.  This is what we are working on now.
• • We have three confirmed events for the year. Beth and her team haveus set up well for preferable in person or virtual events as current conditions warrant.  If we have learned anything from the last year, we need to stay flexible.
  • • Jemez Springs - “Hot Springs, Cool Town”. This will be a non juried show led by Wendy Ahlm and Susan Nichols in close coordination with Susan Vigil and the Jemez Fine Art Gallery.  The opening is April 24.
    • Taos - Taos Plein Air - “Painting the Enchanted Circle”. This will be a juried show led by Beth Cooper, Beth May and Dick Wimberly in close coordination with Wilder Nightingale Fine Art Gallery.  The opening is September 25.
    • 13th National Juried Members Exhibition and Show.   This is our premier event for the year.  It will be a juried show led by Carole Belliveau and Beth Cooper in close coordination with Sorrel Sky Fine Art Gallery in Santa Fe. The opening is October 29.
  • The team is researching setting up a PAPNM ‘store’ for branded items such as aprons, tees and the like.  We believe that we will team with an organization like Zazzle to carry the merchandise.  Watch this space!
  • Another activity we are working is better engaging new members.  I think we can all remember when we joined the organization and how it felt to be new.  Carol Belliveau and Jane Frederick are collaborating here.
  • Setting up a virtual coffee hour so that we can share tips and tricks with everyone.  Beth Cooper, Dick Wimberly and others are working to bring this to life. This should be a lot of fun.
  • Hosted paintouts and a repository of places to paint in New Mexico. This initiative will be led by Beth Cooper and most of the board.

So, in an effort to keep this relatively short, suffice to say you have a very energetic board who is focused on you, the members.  We appreciate the accomplishments of the past and plan on building on that to make PAPNM an even better organization.  

I hope to hear from you!

Best Regards,

Phyllis Gunderson, President

Plein Air Painters of New Mexico

Dear Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Artists and Appreciators,

My monkey mind, a gift and a curse…

As we sit on the cusp of a waning 2020 the old adage of wiping the slate clean comes to mind.  A new year and a new clean slate.  The thought of getting the erasers out and eliminating the marked out, marked over, changed and forgotten ambitions of the year.  That’s a lot of cleaning, a real chore, a dusty mess…

Then I thought of a show I just finished watching, The Queens Gambit.  I thought about Beth Harmon, the lead character and the sequence of events, completely out of her purview, that led her to being placed into an orphanage as a young child.  Then, how a chore, cleaning erasers in the basement of the nunnery, led her to her life’s calling of playing chess.  

I’m reminded of the lesson here.  Of all the difficulties 2020 has presented, I have watched folks deal with the chaos and unknowing, the solitude, inconvenience, sadness, boredom (the list is endless) in so many dichotomous ways.  What instills my hope in humanity are the ones that chose to rise.  People that developed flexibility, forged new trails, or simply set out to conquer something in their life.  

Nietzsche said, “one must still have chaos in oneself to give birth to a dancing star.”  Difficulty boils our own internal chaos to the top.  It can manifest into destruction or beauty.

I’m so proud of PAPNM and how you guys, artists, the board and everyone, have kept the candle of creativity lit.  From our first  board meeting in January full of amazing intentions to organize paintouts, mentorship programs and shows, to suddenly becoming an online organization and doing our best to bring as much as we could to you within the the parameters set outside of our purview as an organization.

Although I would have taken the beginning aspirations and plans formed in January over the eventual history of the past 364 days, we have moved forward as an organization.  For that, I am incredibly proud.

One of the most gratifying parts of my interpretation of my job as President, has been to write to you.  So many of you have written lovely responses to me at how I tapped in to something you were feeling, experiencing, something helpful or hopeful.  It has been a privilege to do that.  That was part of creating a dancing star from the chaos for me.  I have enjoyed it so much in fact, that I plan to begin my blog on my website again.  My writing fuels my painting among other things and this year has taught me to seek fuel in equal parts to the fuel I spend.  

I want to thank each and every one of you that touched in to PAPNM this year.  Every active and passive way you participate is fuel for this organization.  The lifeblood of it.  I encourage you to get more involved as plans are laid for this next year, somehow already at our doorstep.  Please let us know if you have a desire to help with an event or perhaps consider a board position for 2022. It’s never too early to make plans.

Mark up your calendar as if everything you put down will be able to move forward, but in your heart, hold the flexibility to adapt to change.  Your discovery may lay beneath the feet of your upended plans. 

Rise.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Natasha Isenhour

President PAPNM