OFF THE ROAD AGAIN

Hello Friends, Family and Fellow Artists!
This is the first edition of a "non-travel" blog!  Sue and I have been home for about two months now and won't be hitting the road again until March 2017. Lately, we've been talking about some cool stuff happening that we'd like to share with you and thought a new blog would be just the ticket. We hope you agree. 

As we left for our second three month RV trip, we wondered if all that traveling might get tedious now that the novelty has worn off. Actually, the opposite turned out to be true. Each day continued to be as fun as the last, visiting and painting the sights and making new friends along the way. Many people have asked us, "What was your favorite part of the trip?".  Well, it's impossible to narrow it down to just one favorite, so..... 

TOP 10 TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS

CONESTOGA LITE RV TOUR

1.   Wide Open Spaces

We drove for hours (and hours) through some states without seeing a town, store or gas station. It was a wonderful feeling of freedom and escape from the drone of everyday life, but it was also a bit scary being so far away from anywhere.

2. Amazing Views From Our Trailer 

We loved stepping out of our trailer in the morning to see sunlit views in places like Zion and Glenwood Springs.

3. Spring Snow Covering the Rocky Mountains 

Mountain tops covered in white snow with trees dotting the landscape, unlike anything we'd seen in the summertime. What a brilliant, sparkling and majestic sight to behold in the crisp air! It was inspiring! 

4. Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon 

This whole area is magnificent and other-worldly - whether you believe in vortexes or not. 

5. The Narrows, Zion National Park 

One of Doug's favorite painting locations. It's not hard to imagine why.   

Bison Burgers at Blondie's in Springdale, Utah
We discovered this place last year and couldn't wait to return!

7. Marble, Colorado

This town had marble sculptures everywhere! Broken white marble columns and slabs were cast aside years ago on roadsides and along rivers next to an old wagon trail used in the late 1800's. It was like stepping back in time!

8. Glenwood Springs Brewery, Colorado 

Doug's sister Deb and husband Mike joined us for a fun evening at this 

amazing local brewery. There's nothing like good times with family and

good beer! We enjoyed milk stout brew on tap, infused with nitrogen gas 

and it was super smooth and tasty! Even Sue, who is normally a wine 

drinker,was converted!

    

9. Plein Air Convention in Tuscon, AZ 

This was Doug's first time attending this prestigious convention. He enjoyed meeting fellow artists from all over and making new connections. The workshops were very informative and he's incorporated new techniques into his work and teachings. 

When all was said and done, what we really discovered is that "living the dream" means embodying and retaining a passion for life and the spirit of adventure, regardless of location or circumstance. Our journeys by RV have helped is reclaim that spirit.   

UPDATE FROM THE ARTIST

For me, the good news about being retired and "living the dream" is being able to following my life's passion as an artist year round. With encouragement from my my mentor, Albert Handell and family members, I have made significant strides in the past year towards living into this next phase of my life. I'd like to share this with you: 

Pastel Journal Magazine
In the August edition of Pastel Journal, several of my paintings were featured in an article about our 2015 RV travels to National Parks. It was quite a thrill for me to see my work published!  Click here to see an overview of the article:
Pastel Journal Article

Pastel Society of America
My painting "Hallet Peak" was accepted into the 44th Annual "Enduring Brilliance" Exhibition, sponsored by the Pastel Society of America being held in New York from September 6 - October 1. I am pleased that this is the second year in a row that my work got into this highly competitive show.

"Hallet Peak"

U-Art Competition
U-Art (a manufacturer of pastel paper) sponsored an online international show to highlight works done on their pastel papers. There were over 600 paintings submitted from artists all around the world. I am pleased that my painting "Window at Arches National Park" was one of only 100 works accepted into the competition. 

"Window at Arches National Park" 

To see more of all of my paintings from the 2015 and 2016 RV Tour trips, plus more, go to www.dougtweddale.com or click here: Doug's Website 

Greater Norristown Art League

I continue to teach Plein Air workshops and other classes in the Philadelphia area through my wonderful relationship with this art league. It is wonderful to work with other artists and share techniques, while enjoying area parks and the beautiful Pennsylvania scenery. In November, I will be giving a presentation about my travels, along with a demonstration.

Delaware Valley Artist League
I've been invited to do a demonstration for their members in February, 2017, followed by a day long workshop. These events will be opportunities for artists to observe and ask questions and on the workshop day, all attendees will receive a demonstration, create a painting and receive help at the easel!

Plein Air Convention, April 26-28, 2017 

This will be my second conference with Plein Air painters from all over the world. The energy of over 900 Plein Air painters is wonderful! There are lots of demonstrations from well known and very accomplished artists for us all to enjoy and learn from. It is an awesome sight to see the group go out en mass to paint at a local parks!

2017 CONESTOGA LITE RV TOUR
Of course we will be hitting the road again at the end of March for another fun adventure out West! Along the way, I'll be teaching three "Living the Dream" 

Plein Air Workshops: 

Sedona - April 2-8, 2017 
I'm very excited to be co-teaching a workshop with Michael Chesley Johnson.  Michael is an accomplished artist and will be doing oil painting demonstrations, while I will be doing pastel demos. Michael and I will do joint critiques of all works done during the week. It will be a wonderful opportunity to collaborate and enjoy the amazing scenery of Sedona as seen through the eyes of the artists there.

Yosemite National Park - May 7-13, 2017  

I look forward to painting again in Yosemite. The valley along the Merced River, sheer 3,000 foot granite cliffs and numerous waterfalls are truly a treasures to behold!  

Redwood National Park - June 4-10, 2017 
Not only is this area home to the magnificent, towering Redwood trees, it also has rugged shores and ocean scenes to paint. It is one of Sue's and my special places with its moderate temperatures, clean salt air and wonderful people.

For more information or to register for one of my events, call: 908-0850, email:dtweddale@hotmail.com ot visit my website: www.dougtweddale.com