Congratulations to William Rogers, whose work has been recognized in the monthly PleinAir Salon. “Fiddle and Piano at the Red Shoe” won Best Artist Over 65 (October 2024).
William tells us the painting is “based on a sketch from life at the pub and a couple of photos taken there. I showed this painting in a one man show last year and had numerous offers to purchase, but sold it to the parents of the fiddler. I also gave them the sketch, which they had seen at the Ceilidh itself when I just finished it.”
What is a Ceilidh? William explains this and shares his artistic process here. Enjoy, and be inspired!
About Me:
I draw and paint the figure from life several times a week. I carry sketchbooks with me everywhere and fill them, mainly with figures and what they are doing, including the environment around them. Musicians are great subjects that I love, as evidenced here, so I will seek their events out and sketch. I do plein air events and sometimes get to do musicians performing, which is right down my alley.
I’m also a horse lover and have a lot of experience from my younger days of harness racing with them. I have done many portraits of horsemen and women as well as paintings of stable life and backstretch life at racetracks, including some racing action.
My Inspiration for “Fiddle and Piano at the Red Shoe Pub”:
I go to that pub a lot to eat, enjoy music, and sketch – which I always do. I have done quite a few paintings in oil and watercolor based on these pub concerts, besides accumulating many sketches from life.
The Challenge:
Because the painting was very close to my sketch, the design/composition was not the most difficult part. I think the biggest challenge was in adding background figures to give the feel of a concert (here a Celtic concert called a Ceilidh) and have them stay in the background so they didn’t compete with the musicians.
My Process:
I draw constantly, so my sketch looked interesting and I could envision a painting resulting from this one. I also shot a few photos to get various positions and lighting effects. Sometimes I use video for this, but not on this one.
I also really soak in the whole experience and try to convey that feeling. This means I only paint things I experience first hand and truly enjoy. I love my local Celtic culture and I am in love with the process of making art, so it is never a chore.
When I Found Out I Won in the PleinAir Salon:
I was ecstatic, especially when the competition was judged by such a master painter as Ned Mueller, for whom I have the utmost respect. Since he chose it, I really felt honored and grateful.
My Advice for Entering:
My advice is “you can’t win it if you’re not in it,” so take a chance – you have nothing to lose. Also, we as artists need ratification by other artists, and awards assure us that we’re doing alright!
About the PleinAir® Salon:
In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual online art competition, with 11 monthly cycles, leading to the annual Salon Grand Prize winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition. The competition rewards artists with $50,000 in cash prizes and exposure of their work, with the winning painting featured on the cover of PleinAir® Magazine.
Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir Magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, websites, and social media. Winners of each competition will also be entered into the annual competition. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the next Plein Air Convention & Expo.
The next round of the PleinAir Salon has begun so hurry, as this competition ends on the last day of the month. Enter your best art in the PleinAir Salon here.
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