Tuesday, September 15, 2009

NORTH TAHOE PLEIN AIR - a week in heaven

A week at Lake Tahoe, when the tourists are gone, is food for the soul.  Christin and I just returned from the week long North Tahoe Plein Air event.  There were 38 artists who spent three days painting the lake and its surroundings for the show on Saturday and Sunday at Northstar Village.  The daytime weather was perfect with bright sunny skies and cool shade which made for a painter's dream. 

We were the guests of Lois and Andy Skaff for the week who are also the organizers of the event which was put on in association with North Tahoe Arts and the 24th annual Autumn Food and Wine Festival. Each day we ventured out to different locations that Andy and others recommended.  Emerald Bay, Blackwood Canyon, the Truckee River and the Lake shores itself.  Simply endless beauty to paint.
     

Paul Kratter, Zee Zee Mott and Craig Mitchell were the judges for the event.  I was fortunate to have won the coveted "Artist's Choice" award (image below) and Andrew Bolam won "Best of Show". Andy Skaff, Carole Gray-Weihman, Randall Stauss and Bonita Paulis won the other awards.  Sennelier Artist Oils provided several of the winner prizes. Many of the unsold paintings from the event are for sale at North Tahoe Arts, 380 North lake Blvd., Tahoe City until October 18th.