Plein Air Contest 2019
August 2019, and once again the great Erie County Fair in New York has made its arrival. You may have seen my comments on competing in the E.C. Fair plein air painting contest in years past. Here are some pics (courtesy of my family) as I was participating in the 2019 contest.
The artists got to choose what they wanted to paint during the event. As you can see, my choice of venue was a horse stable which is also an equestrian arena. The building is very spacious with bleachers for spectators and all. With my interest in animal portraiture, I thought it would be great fun to depict the powerful draft horses who would be performing for audiences in this area. The finished painting features two horses trotting along together.
Competitors had a total of six hours to set up, complete our artwork from start to finish, and get it turned in for judging. To some this might sound like more than enough time, and to others perhaps an impossible feat. I like the excitement of having a little pressure like that in these contests. It can really help hone artists’ abilities in making fast, decisive compositional and mark-making decisions.
My acrylic on canvas was awarded second place in this year’s contest. As usual, it was a pleasure to see the various interpretations all the artists came up with of such varied and beautiful sights which are available at a large fair like this one.