Penn Valley Park offers ideal setting for outdoor painting competition

At a recent event in the Crossroads, Alex Hamil (in the baseball cap) talked to fellow artists about the Penn Valley Plein Air Fest and other outdoor painting competitions that offer chances for learning new skills and finding new audiences.

At a recent event in the Crossroads, Alex Hamil (in the baseball cap) talked to fellow artists about the Penn Valley Plein Air Fest and other outdoor painting competitions that offer chances for learning new skills and finding new audiences.

There’s hardly a better location for outdoor painting than Penn Valley Park. That’s the considered opinion of local artist Alex Hamil, one of the winners of last year’s Plein Air Fest in the park.

As the Penn Valley Park Conservancy gears up for this year’s event the first week of May, Hamil spent some time this week talking to other artists about how “plein air” – or outdoor painting competitions –  have improved his art, given him a new opportunity for income, and added an element of competition to his painting.

“En plein air” is a fancy French term meaning in open air, although Hamil prefers the term “painting outdoors.” Beginning in the mid-19th century, especially, Impressionists and other painters embraced the challenge of working in quickly-changing outdoor light instead of in the studio.

In the past four years, several new plein air events have gotten started in the Kansas City area, including the annual Penn Valley festival and one Hamil is directing in the fall called the Brush Creek Art Walk. He encourages other artists to check out what they have to offer.

One big advantage, he told them, is just getting out of the studio and putting aside the distractions found there. There’s also the prize money, and the chance to talk with both audiences and other artists.

“Instant gratification or instant feedback and the chance to network with other artists,” he lists as some of the advantages.

Hamil has been competing in plein air events for four years, but he is still refining his outdoor painting skills. For one thing, he says he’s learning to make art that is both affordable and attractive to potential buyers. In the “quick paint” competitions, artists often have only two hours to capture a scene, something that once seemed impossible but now offers a welcome challenge.

Alex Hamil paints at the 2015 Penn Valley Park Plein Air fest, where he won second place

Alex Hamil paints at the 2015 Penn Valley Park Plein Air fest, where he won second place

“The light changes in two hours, so who needs more time than that?” Hamil jokes.

To speed things up, Hamil uses only four colors and to make his work more portable, he paints with watercolors. He’s learned from experience to carry rain gear and be prepared for whatever is necessary.

The Penn Valley festival is special to him as a native of Kansas City because its views are familiar.

“Penn Valley is great with its ideal views of the Kansas City skyline and wilderness with an urban spin. The combination of architecture and nature is unlike anything other event this city has available.”

He’s hoping that more artists will join in on plein air events, and that the public will begin to turn out in greater numbers to watch the painting and maybe take some of works home.

“Artists are flattered when the public inquires as to their work. After all, we don’t do this just for art’s sake. It is our goal to sell these works as well.”

 

Details

Penn Valley Park Conservancy Plain Arts Fest

Dates: May 4 – May 7, 2016

For Artists

  • Quick paint events will be held May 5, 6, 7.  Locations will be announced.
  • $4,000 in cash awards

For the public

  • The public is encouraged to attend the painting events and watch the artists in action.
  • May 7th: private reception and preview party to showcase the art, award prizes, and offer the art for sale.
  • Artwork will be for sale from May 7th – June 23rd during the open-to-the-public art exhibit and online sales.
  • Reception and exhibit will be held at Buttonwood Art Space, 3013 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Penn Valley Park Plein Air Fest First Friday will be June 3rd from 5-9 p.m.

 

More information

Leave a Comment