James Hart Dyke on Climbing and Painting a Mountain Summit
Release Date: 09/15/2023
Nicholas Coleman on Finding His Own Artistic Voice in Western Art
Plein Air Art Podcast
In this episode of the Plein Air Podcast, Eric Rhoads sits down with Western artist Nicholas Coleman to talk about growing up in an artistic family, developing a voice of his own, and building a career around the subjects he genuinely loves. Nicholas shares what it was like learning alongside his father, renowned Western artist Michael Coleman, and how that early influence helped open doors while also challenging him to establish his own identity as an artist. He discusses his fascination with the history and landscapes of the American West, the importance of research and authenticity, and why...
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From Illustration to Fine Art: Marc Anderson’s Path to Painting
Plein Air Art Podcast
In this episode of the Plein Air Podcast, Eric Rhoads sits down with Wisconsin artist Marc Anderson to talk about his journey from freelance illustration to a career in fine art. Marc shares how a summer job drawing caricatures helped build his skills, how discovering the plein air community changed the direction of his career, and why he believes developing your craft should come before worrying about the business side of art. They also dive into the practical side of painting, including the importance of drawing, mixing convincing greens, understanding value and color temperature,...
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How Plein Air Painting Shaped John Lasater as an Artist
Plein Air Art Podcast
In this episode of the Plein Air Podcast, Eric Rhoads talks with acclaimed painter John Lasater about how decades of painting outdoors have shaped his art, his career, and the way he sees painting today. John reflects on his early years in the plein air community, the highs and lows of traveling the competition circuit, and how those experiences became markers for both accomplishment and artistic growth. He also shares how his work has evolved over the years toward a more simplified, contemplative approach, and why painting alongside other artists and being part of a creative community...
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What Years of Plein Air Competition Taught Jason Sacran
Plein Air Art Podcast
Years on the competitive plein air circuit taught Jason Sacran more than how to paint under pressure. In this episode, the award-winning artist reflects on the lessons, challenges, and sacrifices that shaped his approach to painting and his career. Jason talks with Eric Rhoads about what he learned from years of plein air competitions, how painting intensely from life helped him grow, and why artists don't have to travel to spectacular destinations to find something worth painting. He also shares his approach to nocturnes and early-morning light, painting larger outdoors, and finding...
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Plein Air Podcast 270: CW MUNDY
Plein Air Art Podcast
In this episode of the Plein Air Podcast, Eric Rhoads interviews American Impressionist C.W. Mundy, and artist from Indianapolis, Indiana, who started as a sports illustrator, but wanted to explore fine art back in the early 1990’s and so started painting everything “from life” at that time. He is a master Signature member of OPA, and AIS, and a fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists. Don’t forget to check out CW’s BRAND NEW video “Still life simplified - Master values to create believable paintings," available here:...
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Plein Air Podcast 269: Nathan Fowkes
Plein Air Art Podcast
In this episode of the Plein Air Podcast, Eric Rhoads interviews Nathan Fowkes, a concept artist working across feature animation, entertainment projects, and video games. Nathan has collaborated with major studios including DreamWorks, Blue Sky, and Disney. In addition to his professional studio work, Nathan is a respected teacher of drawing, painting, color, and design, and is also an accomplished fine artist. Don't miss your opportunity to create lifetime memories at PACE! https://pleinairconvention.com The next Plein Air Convention & Expo is May 14-18, 2026 in The Ozarks. All training...
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Kyle Ma – From Childhood Drawings to Plein Air Salon Winner
Plein Air Art Podcast
In this episode of the Plein Air Podcast, Eric Rhoads interviews Kyle Ma, who at 25 has already earned a respected place in the plein air and landscape world. Kyle is the 2025 grand-prize winner, and his story is a compelling mix of early passion, disciplined fundamentals, thoughtful experimentation, and deep respect for painting from life. In this interview, Kyle shares his background, his working process, lessons he has learned along the way, and practical advice for artists at any stage. If you want to learn how to move faster and more confidently through problems in painting,...
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Plein Air Painting … in China
Plein Air Art Podcast
Back from nearly four weeks painting en plein air in China, Eric Rhoads shares his discoveries about education-driven plein air bases, a booming watercolor scene, collaborative scrolls, and a frank art marketing conversation, all co-hosted by guest artist Paul Friederichsen. Bonus: This interview includes a new Marketing Minute with Eric and Paul! If you want more resources: publishes widely on these topics; Eric runs weekdays at noon (Marketing Mondays included), and we have a for anyone starting out. Keep painting, keep traveling, and we hope to see you at a workshop soon...
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Joe McGurl's Connection to Nature
Plein Air Art Podcast
Join Eric Rhoads for the latest Plein Air Podcast episode as Joe McGurl shares insights on landscape painting, techniques, and the emotional connection to nature. Bonus! Eric Rhoads addresses how to find your ideal client/audience and how to market your art if you wish to step away from using social media. Related Links: Art Business Mastery Day: PaintTube.tv: 201 Essential Plein Air Tips: Plein Air Convention & Expo: Joe McGurl online:
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Insights from James Gurney
Plein Air Art Podcast
In this episode of the Plein Air Podcast, Eric Rhoads delves into the insights shared by renowned artist James Gurney, exploring the significance of plein air painting, its history, and practical tips for artists looking to hone their skills. Bonus! What are the current trends in art buying behavior, and how should artists adapt their marketing strategies to align with the preferences of modern collectors? And, how can international artists market their art in the U.S.? Eric Rhoads answers in this week's Art Marketing Minute Podcast. Related Links: PaintTube.tv: 201 Essential Plein Air...
info_outlineThis is Plein Air Podcast episode number 253 with British artist and plein air mountaineer James Hart Dyke, who shares a story about a plein air adventure all of us wish we could have been a part of:
James Hart Dyke climbed and painted Mont Blanc, which has an elevation of almost 15,800 feet, making it the highest summit of Western Europe. It was a treacherous trip of navigating around crevasses, going up glaciers, and avoiding avalanches and rock falls. Failure was not an option.
Why did he do it? He wanted to reenact and emulate as closely as possible the conditions under which the legendary French painter of the Alps, Gabriel Loppé, made his pair of Summit paintings at sunset in 1873.
Listen as they discuss:
– The inspirational moment he had as an 8-year-old, which led him to his path as a painter
– How studying architecture in college launched his professional artistic career (“It’s a bit dreamy, but that’s how my career started.”)
– Dealing with frequent rain as a plein air painter in the UK (“Plein air painting is not for the faint-hearted.”)
– The positive aspect of having what he calls “generators,” or challenges when painting on location
– His thrilling experience with the British Intelligence Service and painting combat zones
– How the producers of the James Bond films discovered him and his work (“It was very thrilling, but I’d say it all comes out of plein air landscape painting.”)
– His experiences with King Charles and the Royal Party
– How his plein air Summit adventure came to be, how he prepared himself physically, mentally, and logistically as a painter
– His takeaways from the extreme experience and what he learned about himself
– The plein air movement in the UK
– And what’s next for James: Painting one of America’s iconic parks
And in this week’s Art Marketing Minute:
What can you do to attract more out-of-town buyers?
Are there ways to vet potential buyers so you don’t waste your time?
Listen and learn!
Related Links:
– James Hart Dyke online: https://jameshartdyke.com/
– Plein Air Japan: https://pleinairjapan.com/spring-2024
– Realism Live: https://realismlive.com/
– Plein Air Magazine: https://pleinairmagazine.com/
– Fall Color Week: https://fallcolorweek.com/
– European Fine Art Trip: https://finearttrip.com/stockholm-madrid
– Sunday Coffee: https://coffeewitheric.com/
– Submit Art Marketing Questions: artmarketing.com/questions
The Plein Air Podcast has been named the #1 Painting Podcast by FeedSpot for two years in a row. New in 2023: FeedSpot has named Eric’s Art Marketing Minute Podcast as one of the Top 25 Art Business and Marketing Blogs on the web.