Plein Air Painters Boost Taos Economy
About 50 plein air painters from Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and New Mexico will descend on the Taos area on May 3rd thru May 7th, 2008.
Organizers Leslie Allen, a Founding Member of Plein Air Artists Colorado and Patrice Walker of Plein Air Painters of New Mexico put their heads together to plan one of their annual “Paint Outs” in Taos only a month ago expecting maybe the usual twenty people, but were “totally blown away” by the response of their members this year. Asked “Why the difference this year?” Leslie Allen states that she has received a lot of feedback from plein air painters (French term: “en plein air” meaning “in the fresh air”) that they love the light and the historical architecture of the area, as well as the spring blossoms abundant (they hope) in May; but they don’t like to paint alone anymore.
Patrice Walker adds: “The participants will paint in groups at suggested locations around Taos, armed with maps, their portable easels, umbrellas, hats, sunscreen, and their individual visions. We have our favorite spots where the people have always greeted us warmly. We like to lunch at the little restaurants in the small towns and meet the people who love to visit and watch us paint.” Some of the areas they will visit are Pilar, Dixon, the Taos gorge, the Taos Mountain from the Sheepskin Factory, Arroyo Seco, Arroyo Hondo, and Rancho de Taos. They have accepted an invitation to a pre-dinner get-together with friend and fellow painter, Walt Gonske whose work is admired by the landscape painters.
The group filled the host hotel, the San Geronimo Lodge, where owner Charles Montgomery, himself an artist, has graciously given over his lovely setting to the painters. The first night dinner and get-together will be hosted by the Sagebrush Inn. The group is now booking at a total of six area hotels and will enjoy many of the acclaimed Taos restaurants on the other nights. “After we paint some gorgeous Taos sunsets!” adds Allen. “We hope that the Taos community will stop to talk with us when they see us out and about. We thank everyone for their hospitality towards us.”
For further information:
Patrice Walker PAPNM pwalkerartiste@aol.com www.pleinairpaintersnm.org
Leslie Allen PAAC leslie@allenfineart.com www.pleinairartistscolorado.com
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fresh air is hard to come by specially on those heavily populated cities."'