Crested Butte Plein Air Festival

I found out the plein air event had an ‘open’ division. This is an invitational event, with a select few juried in. This year they added an open section allowing any artist to try to get two paintings juried in. The first 100 to enter also were allowed to do the quick paint event Sat.
I had two days to get two paintings. I did submit two, but neither one made it in. I was disappointed but not surprised. I decided to go ahead and do the quick paint. It was a really eye opening event, and I am really very pleased I had the opportunity to attend and paint with the ‘big dogs’! I would have loved to get in and loved to sell a painting. But the reality was I wasn’t prepared for the challenge. The top plein air artists were here, and it was a little daunting. I met Shelby Keefe first, and actually painted with her. She stopped by the Airstream, and introduced herself. She is a super nice woman, and a very VERY good painter. She sold 6 the first opening night! The next day Jill Carver stopped beside the Airstream to paint! She introduced herself as Jill. I said ‘Jill Carver’? And she said yes! I was so excited to meet her! She painted about 1 1/2 hours and the Airstream was reflecting so much light at her as the sun came over the mountain….she scrapped it! She came in the trailer and chatted for a while. I saw her again a couple of times.
Greg Summers was one of the guides for the event. That position allowed him to also participate in the event. It was fun to see him. He introduced me to several of the top artist. He was certainly having a blast, in his element!