Plein Air Adventures, Freshly Baked Cookies, and What’s Coming Next
Hello. 👋🏼 I’m a painter based in Philadelphia and Deer Isle. In my posts, I share insights on my painting process, tips for artists, reflections on the art world, and some of my favorite recipes. 🎨🍰 If you're passionate about art or just curious about the life of an artist (and a good recipe), this Substack is for you.
Three Days in Dover: My Plein Air Experience
Paint Dover! is a three-day plein air painting event held in Dover, Delaware, sponsored by the Downtown Dover Partnership and the Biggs Museum of American Art. Artists of all skill levels gather to create work on location in Delaware’s historic capital. Now that I'm less tied down by office work, I wanted to dive into more plein air events, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to get back into painting competitions.
Day 1: Getting Set Up in Dover
Dover is about two hours from Philadelphia, so after getting the kids off to school Tuesday morning, I packed the car with paints, panels, frames (for the Thursday competition), clothes, and snacks. I also had to make a stop at the Station Gallery in Greenville, DE, to drop off a painting for a collector. This sale pretty much covered my expenses for Paint Dover! (Thank you, Mary and the Station Gallery!)
When I arrived in Dover, I checked in at the Downtown Dover Partnership and registered my painting panels. They stamp the back of each panel to verify it’s being painted on-site. Armed with Google Maps and some pre-scouted locations, I headed to The Green—a park surrounded by historic buildings. I found a spot with interesting shadows and set to work. After finishing the painting, I walked around town for over an hour, scouting spots for the next two days.
Day 2: Facing the Elements
After a successful first day, Day 2 felt more frustrating. I started three different paintings at three locations but couldn’t seem to finish any of them. I couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong—it could’ve been adjusting to a new environment or the difference in architecture from Philadelphia. I also realized I’d mostly brought small square panels and wished I had larger rectangular ones for better compositions.
Plein air events are a reminder that you have to work within a framework: the supplies you packed, the scenery available, and whatever weather conditions arise. Unlike in the studio, you can’t just grab different materials or change your setting. You work with what you have.
Day 3: Finding Flow and Finishing
On the final day, I was out early in the chilly morning. I needed to find my flow and finish my paintings, as the day was short with a scheduled lunch and the museum setup by 3:45 p.m. Determined to complete the work, I applied some advice from fellow artist Robert Manning, who had given me a critique the night before.
I finished all three paintings—some more successfully than others—but they were done. At that point, I felt there wasn’t much more I could do.
A key part of my process is stepping back—literally. I’ll walk 15 feet away to check my lights, darks, and perspective. Does the building look like it’s tipping? Is the perspective right? That distance gives me a clearer sense of the overall composition and what needs adjusting.
By 2:30, I was cleaning up and framing my wet oil paintings. I hadn’t brought enough frames but managed to frame three for the competition. Setting up outside the Biggs Museum with the other artists, I enjoyed seeing the wide range of work—oil, watercolor, pen and ink, acrylic—all styles and skill levels. I don’t envy the judges, who had to compare such varied works.
Winning the Loockerman Prize
To my surprise and delight, one of my paintings was awarded the Loockerman Prize—a gratifying recognition after three days of dedication and immersion in the process.
I’m excited to share that two of my paintings are currently on display at the Biggs Museum of American Art. Following their time at the museum, they will be moved into shop windows in Downtown Dover Through mid November. It’s an honor to have my work featured in such prominent locations, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing my plein air pieces with a wider audience.
Reflections on Plein Air Painting
Plein air painting is hard, intense work. You’re out in public, working against the clock dictated by weather and light. In an urban setting, you also need to find comfortable spots without blocking sidewalks or streets. Painting architecture adds complexity, requiring attention to depth and perspective. It’s a test of skill and stamina, but it’s also a rewarding way to grow as an artist.
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours: October 26 and 27
I'm hosting an Open Studio event in Philly, and you're invited! Admission to the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours is free, so come see my South Philly studio [link to studio info], chat with me about my creative process, and enjoy a day filled with art and inspiration.
My studio is at 1420 South 12th Street Philadelphia. Stop by on the afternoon of October 26 and 27.
Ginger Rogers
A ginger cookie recipe adapted from Willow Arlin’s Triple Ginger Cookies.
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tsp baking soda
1 tbs ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup candied ginger, chopped
2 sticks or 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 cup unsulfured molasses
2 tbs freshly grated ginger
1/4-1/2 cup granulated sugar, for rolling
Makes 40 cookies
In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Toss in the chopped crystallized ginger.
In a large bowl, or use a stand mixer, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and fresh ginger, and molasses. Then beat well.
Mix in the dry ingredients until just combined until all of the flour is incorporated. The mixture should be thick and somewhat sticky. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap, fold the plastic over itself, and pat into a 1 inch thick disc. Wrap it up and refrigerate until firm (at least 1-2 hours, or up to a few days).
Preheat oven to 325f while portioning your chilled cookie dough. Using a #40 cookie scoop or a regular spoon scoop out equal portions of dough, and roll each into a ball between your palms then toss in sugar until coated.
Place on balls of dough onto a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet, spacing them at least 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes, or until the surface begins to crack. Let the cookies cool 3-4 minutes in the baking sheet to set before transferring to a wire rack.
Once completely cool, cookies can be stored in a baggie or airtight container for several days, or frozen.
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Two takeaways: a ginger cookie recipe I’ll definitely be trying out, and the importance of scouting out a competition well ahead of time. I competed once and grew immensely under the pressure, but realize now how disadvantaged I was, as I was clueless about the area (also two hours away) so more time was spent scouting than painting. Thanks for another inspiring and informative post!
Congratulations on winning an award! I enjoyed reading about your plein air event experience and understand all the hard work that is involved in participating. There was a plein air festival this past week in Cape Ann, MA (Rockport, Gloucester, etc.), and it was so fun to see so many people outside painting.