All’s Well That Ends Well

All’s well that ends well. Isn’t that what they say? I left you good folks last week in Pinedale, WY while I was waiting for my car to get fixed so I could get on the road. UPS had delivered and I was on my way home with-in a little over an hour. BOOM! I did stop at the Mountain …

Getting to Know Pinedale, Wyoming

Good day followers. I’ve been getting to know Pinedale, Wyoming for the last several days. As you may recall from the last time we visited, I was on my way to Driggs, Idaho for the Driggs Digs Plein Air Event. It’s going on right now but unfortunately without me. I stopped in Pinedale on Saturday to get gas and noticed …

Two Steps Forward and One Step Backwards

Doesn’t seem like that’s how it goes sometimes? You take two steps forward and one step backwards. That seems the way it was today. I just came off of a great local plein air event in Montrose, my hometown, last week. On Tuesday I had a great class with 11 students. They were brave, painting all day in the heat. …

The Maynard Dixon Artist Campout

The Maynard Dixon Artist Campout has just concluded. I’m sitting back in camp with an adult beverage, thinking about what a wonderful experience this has been. This is not a plein air competition but rather a gathering of artists for 5 days culminating with an artist’s reception in the main gallery on Friday evening and today with what was called a wet …

I’m In A Foreign Country

At least it feels like I’m in a foreign country. I’m in Los Gatos, California for the Los Gatos Plein Air Festival. I got here Monday evening and am camped in the driveway of my host Elaine Seid. What a wonderful lady. She has been very gracious and helpful. So thankful she drew my name, or however they decide who …

It Can’t be all Work and No Play

You know, it can’t be all work and no play. Take this past Memorial Day weekend for instance. True, I stretched it into 4 1/2 days but things are really slow for us in the gallery over holiday weekends like this one so I opted to slip out of town a little early. Thursday afternoon to be exact. Pulled our …

My How Time Flies When You’re Having Fun

My how time flies when you’re having fun. I know. That’s a lame excuse for not having kept in better touch. I apologize. The problem is…and I’m sure some of you can relate, is that as more time passes without being in touch with someone, the harder it is to make your self sit down and just do it. OK. …

Moving Right Along

Things are moving right along here in the Mike Simpson art world. I’ve been pretty busy and can’t believe it’s the first of March already. Next thing you know it’ll be the 4th of July. Of course you couldn’t tell by the weather yesterday. Snow. But that’s Colorado for you. I thought it’d be a good day in the studio to …

The Best Part of Being Gone Is…

You know, I get out and about a fair amount and I really like going but I have found that the best part about being gone is the coming home again. There’s nothing like the comfort and familiarity of home. There’s a fellow artist, from Kansas City I believe, who with his wife sold their house, bought an Airstream trailer and …

Zion Plein Air Invitational

I write this to you from the Zion Plein Air Invitational, yes, in Zion National Park. I was chosen from a nation wide application process to be one of 24 select professional artists to participate in a week long plein air painting event culminating with a wet painting sale Saturday and Sunday. Friday evening is a special invitation for a …