Well, it’s been a fun and fine time here in Tucson Arizona. Today has been the wrap up  Plein Air Convention 2016 which is billed as the largest gathering of outdoor painters in the world. I can’t lend any verification to that claim but I know there was a lot of us here.

Total tally was right at 900. They had to close it off at that. Apparently they sold out the hotel where it was held. This was the 5th year and the largest yet. I remember when it started and I thought, “really?” It was held in Las Vegas then. After that it was in Monterey, California. I write about it because it was quite the spectacle. Painters lined up like fishermen for opening day of salmon season on the Kenai.

It was good and I’m glad I came. Met some really good artists and was surprised by the overall quality of work that was being produced. I was told that approximately 20% were beginners and the balance had some experience to well seasoned painters. Impressive.

We went out to the Old Tucson Movie set this afternoon. What a treat that was. So many of the old westerns were filmed there…at least in part. Reminded me a lot of Knott’s Berry Farm in a way. Very picturesque and very paintable although our time there was short.

I got a little gouache sketch done in my sketchbook of Old Reno a steam engine used on the Virginia Truckee Railroad Line.

The light was just gorgeous down here. Seems like the farther down in the southwest you go, the more pastel the colors become. We’re not far from the Mexican border here. The cactus is blooming and of course the towering Saguaro were notable and very paintable. Yes, a fun time was had by all.

On the other end of the extreme is the North country where the farther you go the more saturated the colors are. You notice these things when you are an artist. It’s what you do when you are out and about. You can do it too. You don’t have to be an artist.

I’ve mentioned this before. It’s a matter of observation. Paying attention to what’s around you. Taking the time to actually see something. Hard to do when you have your eyes glued to a 12 square inch screen on your phone though. No wonder people are walking into sign posts and fountains.

But…that’s not what this is about. I found out I have an extra day so I think in the morning I’ll head up toward the Grand Canyon and maybe see about doing a painting there before I turn toward home. I mean, it’s right on the way…sort of.

It might be a good time of year to go there as the crowds haven’t picked up yet. I can’t imagine painting the Grand Canyon. I paint for the Black Canyon and that’s a challenge because of the lighting. Hard to imagine the Grand Canyon. It’s been years since I been there.

I’ll let you know.