I spent some time between playoff games this past weekend planning my plein air show schedule for 2016 on a large “year at a glance” wall calendar. I blocked out the days of the shows and entered the entry deadlines to help keep me stay on track. I have to do this because I am notorious for forgetting to meet the deadlines for submissions to shows. It’s one of the hardest things for me to remember. Not to worry now however. It’s all up on the wall.

It’s going to be a busy season and I’m getting excited to get after it. If I had it my way I’d just jump on the Harley, load my little trailer with painting supples and spend the season banging around the whole country doing these plain air shows. The reality is somewhat different however. The weather has a huge influence on how this all works out not even considering whether I’m riding a motorcycle or not. At least with the pick up and trailer I have someplace to retreat to when it starts raining. Note “when” it starts raining, not “if”.

The other consideration when riding the bike is getting out of and back into the state of Colorado, particularly in the spring and fall. I talked to a guy in Gunnison, Colorado on my way back from Texas one spring in April and he said he got stuck down in the Big Bend area for five weeks waiting for the weather to break so he could get back home in Gunnison. While it might be nice and warm in Arizona or Texas, getting over the passes leaving or returning to Colorado can be an issue. But then I guess it’d make for a good story. Plotting and planning sure has given me the itch to get out and about. I’ll admit to a small dose of cabin fever. Yesterday I fired up the bike in the garage. Almost thought about trying to get it and going for a little spin but the driveway is all snow packed and icy. I couldn’t find the tire chains for the motorcycle so I just left it idle in the garage. Listening to the rumble of the exhaust on that Harley was music to my ears.

One of the shows I’m thinking about doing is in Duluth, Minnesota. I’m originally from the northwest corner of Minnesota but I’ve never been to Duluth. I thought I’d take in the north shore of Lake Superior while I’m out that way, maybe loop back home through Manitoba and Saskatchewan. That should make for some good tales. I’ve also got Texas, Utah and maybe Montana on the list. Some of the shows in the schedule are invitational/juried shows so I’ll have to submit images of the work I do and see if I get accepted.

I’ve already started getting my supplies ready for the season. Today I was busy making panels to paint on.

The is a roll of Belgian linen I’ll glue onto some gator foam panels I cut up into standard sizes from a 4×8 sheet.

I’ll add these to a stock I already have.

Next I’ll get started on some frames. I need all of this prepared in advance because when the time comes to go, I can just load some panels and frames, my painting kit and I’m off.

Oh, I almost forgot, speaking of good tales, if you remember, I took a ride to Alaska and back on my motorcycle in 2014. The Sherbino Theater in Ridgway has asked me to give a talk on my experiences, with images on the big screen, January 28th. Doors open at 7:00 and the program begins at 7:30 if you are so inclined. Hope to see you there.

Thanks for tuning in.