I'm back. Did you miss me?

By B. Eric Rhoads

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My Five-Week Adventure

A Travelog of My Travels and Events the Last Few Weeks

In the 19th century, well-to-do Americans would send their college-age kids off to Europe for a year, a trip often called "the Grand Tour." The wealthy did this because it was a way to open their child's eyes to culture, language, and different ways of life. Getting away to another country is a giant eye-opener and a great way to expand your mind.

After five weeks away, today is my first official day back at my desk, and I thought I'd share some observations on what I learned about myself and what I learned that will benefit you.

Week 1: Fall Color Week

Group shot from Fall Color Week 2023 in the Adirondacks

My annual fall retreat was held this year in the Adirondacks (for the last time), and it was sold out months in advance. We hit the timing perfectly; the color was brilliant and the weather was perfect. We held the event at the Saranac Village Young Life Camp, which was spectacular, and the food was grand.

Sunset painting time on top of Whiteface Mountain outside of Lake Placid. We stayed so long the rangers had to kick us out because the mountain road was closed.

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I was surprised to find that 60 percent of the people there were new to Fall Color Week, attending for the first time. Most who were new had registered early, which explained the early sellout and why many of the regulars (who often wait till the last month or so) were unable to get seats. People have started to travel again, no longer fearing Covid, and they came out in droves. I learned that most of these new attendees discovered us during the pandemic on the Art School Live daily broadcast, the PleinAir Podcast, or from Sunday Coffee, my weekly missive. The rest learned about it from our regular ongoing communications.

Fall color is at its peak this time of year.

Though I hold an annual retreat in the Adirondacks in the spring, very few people do both that and Fall Color Week, and the vibe of each group is different. I found this group to be exceptionally generous and friendly, and there were a huge number of brand new painters. Some came never having painted before, and dozens did their first plein air paintings. Most told me that after being stuck at home, plein air painting has become much more appealing.

Eric does a demo for beginners at Fall Color Week.

Because there were so many newbies, I did something I've never done intentionally at this event before and worked with the beginners on technique. Like a workshop, I did a demo, and I checked in with them all week and helped with their paintings. I saw most make a huge leap with just a few very basic principles like big shapes and four-corner composition.

It was fun to see friendships grow out of Fall Color Week. (L to R: Becky Nagel, Christina Angelo, Colleen Casper, Kellee Mayfield, Calina Franzosa)

Everyone grew very close, and I personally made many new friends. And at the end, every hand was raised when I asked how many had made lifelong friendships. We really do draw close at these events when we sit up at night doing paintings and when we paint together every day for a week. Everyone got a chance to meet my daughter, Grace, and my wife, Laurie, as well as Christina Angelo from the Streamline team.

Each night we all placed our paintings out for everyone to view.

I announced the next Fall Color Week, which is moving to the California coast. It will be held at Asilomar, and it promises to be an early sellout. We already had a high percentage of this year's attendees sign up. Though lots of the fall color is inland, we'll be staying right on the ocean, so I predict lots of seashore paintings during the most perfect time of year there weatherwise. You can learn more at fallcolorweek.com.

Week 2: The Drive Across the U.S.A.

Somewhere in Arkansas at 85 mph

Why would a busy guy like me not fly home from our summer in the Adirondacks? It's pretty simple, really. We have a blind dog who can't fly, and we have a lot of stuff that we shuttle back and forth. My wife loves to do all the driving, so it's fun for me. I don't work, only occasionally check e-mail, and I just love to stare out the window and watch the scenery. I learn a lot about our country as we drive a different route home each time. It's a great way to decompress from a crazy week, and I take pictures for future paintings along the way.

Week 3: Stockholm and Mora

A bucket list goal: visiting the Zorn Museum in Mora, Sweden

The last time I went to Sweden, several of my friends went on to Mora, the birthplace and home of the great artist Anders Zorn. I've always regretted not going, so I made sure I did so before this trip. My wife and I met Fine Art Connoisseur editor Peter Trippi there and one other couple, and we took the four-hour train ride out of Stockholm. Though the Zorn Museum was undergoing some remodeling, we spent two full days with Johan Cederlund, the director, and learned volumes about Zorn.

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A Moment From the High Sierras

By Michele Usebelli

Michele Usibelli, "Highline," 12 x 16 in., oil, Mountain Oyster Club Western Art Show/Archives

I was fortunate to spend a week in the High Sierras with a group of very special painting buddies a few years ago, a trip and experience I'll never forget and am anxious to do again!

Pure magic waking up to the smell of hot coffee and the sun peaking over the mountains…..here (above) is one of the many paintings that I created as a result of that trip.

Good to Know: Discover the "focal first" approach that creates dynamic paintings without chaos. Learn how with Michele's "Painting with Goache" video workshop.

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