Karen Scannell Artist: Paint Annapolis USA 2014

Update.. I was very happy to return home with two awards from this great event. Third place in both the "Nocturne", and "Quick-draw" events :)

Paint Annapolis 2014 - video of event

Paint Annapolis 2014

Presented by the Maryland Federation of Art
June 23-29

I am honored to be one of thirty artists taking part in Paint Annapolis 2014.Working very hard in developing my work, I made the decision early in the year to be open to any opportunity that arises, which will help me develop as an artist. As a result, when I saw at the last minute, a call for entries to the Paint Annapolis Event, I applied.

My brother Jim( Wexford Injury Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre ) always says work hard and be prepared ,as you never know when an opportunity will arise. He coached me in my sporting years, and is a great coach also in life. It helps also, that he can fix my back when it "screams" after along painting spree ;)

Often (and I'm sure it's the case for many artists) we get caught up in the process of making, and are happiest painting, creating, and developing work. However it is very easy to get lost in the process, and we can forget the benefits to be had, by stepping beyond our environs. New experiences, help us to develop as human beings and as artists.

Annapolis is the Capitol of Maryland with a population of about 36,000 in comparisons to Wexfords' 19,000.Perhaps one of our biggest connections is Commodore John Barry , founder of The American Navy.

Annapolis is also a Maritime City, the United States Naval Academy was founded in 1845 on the site of Fort Severn, and now occupies an area of land reclaimed from the Severn River next to the Chesapeake Bay.

I was barely aware of Annapolis, and Wexford's connection to it, until the organizers of Art In The Open , (Wexford's Outdoor painting Festival), encouraged the relationship between the two . As a result, over the years A.I.O has had artists from Annapolis, and further afield participating in the event, Lynn Mehta, Ardis and David Diaz, who has made the journey for five consecutive years, and has been a great ambassador for the city.

"Paint Annapolis is a four-day juried plein air painting competition held June 23-29, 2014, that brings to Annapolis plein air painters from across the United States. For 12 years it has been a premier event, bringing artists and patrons of the arts together to share in the spirit of the energy and vibrancy of outdoor painting. The event is designed to explore in paint the special colonial architecture, marine atmosphere and overall energy of Maryland’s capital city - home to families, business, colleges, and maritime activities."

It promises to be a great experience, painting inside and outside the environs of the city, with a quick draw and Nocturne Event also in the schedule.

Preparing for a week of serious painting, I enjoy the pressure that competitions bring ,as I feel being challenged, always helps to progress my skill level. At the same time I never regard it as a win or loose situation. Much like in my sporting life in the past, competition is only ever with yourself, in a drive to keep improving...and achievement is in the eye of the beholder. Long term your own judgement is what matters, and a continuous movement forward with honesty to our own creative vision and response.

Look who's coming to Paint Annapolis 2014

Paint Annapolis Website

My Website : Karenscannellart@jimdo.com

http://pleineire.ning.com/

http://pleinairartists.ning.com/photo