April Newsletter
There's always something going on!
[I send out a newsletter to my mailing list every few months. Here’s April’s. You can read it in full and subscribe to it here.]
April, 2025
Ramah, New Mexico
I can't believe it's been a few months since my last newsletter! But I've been busy—working on paintings, writing columns for my two Substacks, finishing up the book on Scotland, plus the usual chores and odd jobs around the house and studio. Time has really flown this season, and it won't be long before Trina and I head for Campobello Island.
A New Painting. My latest endeavour has been to create the painting you see at the top of this post. It's one of my favorite scenes from Sedona, Arizona—Red Rock Crossing at Oak Creek—and I especially like it in the autumn, when the cottonwoods and sycamores are showing color. I painted this 18x24 oil for the following reason...
Sedona Plein Air Festival. Yes, I've been invited back to the Sedona Plein Air Festival! This will make my tenth appearance for the event. I first started in 2006, nearly twenty years ago. I've seen lots of changes at the festival, and this year, I believe, the event will be hosted by a crew of people I've not worked with before. The panting above is one of two studio paintings I'll have in the exhibition and sale. Dates this year are October 20-26, 2025. I'll have more information about it as time goes by, but you can check out this website (once it's updated) as well: www.SedonaPleinAirFestival.org
By the way, we're about to head off to Sedona to host a painting retreat. Believe it or not, I have a space available! It's $300, and runs April 6-11. If you'd like to join us—I've been painting there a long time and know the best spots—let me know. Oh, and this is a "non-residential" retreat; that is, we are not providing lodging, so you will need to secure your own. If you live in or near Sedona, perhaps this will entice you!
The New Book. As I mentioned in a special newsletter back in February, I did finish my book: Through a Painter's Brush: Scotland. I'm very pleased with it, as I think it's my best book yet! In it, I include not just sketches and finished paintings but also my journals from my three previous trips. The book is available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle editions. You can read more about it here or order it directly here.
Incidentally, Trina and I are already planning our next trip to Scotland, which will be in the fall of 2026. We're thinking of spending two to three months there, with possibly side trips to England's Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Also, I'd like to include one week as a "Sketching to Explore" retreat for the readers of this newsletter. I have no details on that yet other than if there's enough interest, I'll do it. If you're interested, let me know!
The New Course. In another letter, I mentioned my new Udemy course, Gouache Outdoors. I've had great response to this new course, which takes you step-by-step through working en plein air with this wonderful medium. As with all my online courses, it is self-study and self-paced. I post monthly discount codes, and you can get those plus the links to these courses here.
Sketching with an Ink Brush. If you are a follower of Painting to See, my column on Substack, you'll be familiar with my "simple pleasures" posts. Lately, I've taken to a truly minimal kit—just a 3.5" x 5" sketchbook and an ink brush—to sketch trees on my hikes from the studio. It's been a very relaxing way to spend an hour (or less!) a day and to build my drawing skills. Here's a special column I wrote about this kind of sketching.
Heading for Canada. As I mentioned, soon we will be heading off to Campobello Island. I will host my traditional painting retreat in August (August 4-8, 2025, $300 USD), which is currently filled with a waiting list; if you'd like to be on the list, please let me know. A passport will be required so we can go back and forth across the US/Canada border. Also, if you are in the area, please contact me to visit my studio—I have many, many, MANY paintings for sale, plus a variety of easels and other gear that I would like to dispose of. Once we get to Campobello, I'll send out another newsletter!
That's all for now. Have a great spring! Everything is starting to bloom and turn green here in New Mexico.
