We just returned from a three and a half week trip to Europe. The trip itself was for two reasons, to attend Salon Leeuwarden, an annual meeting of decorative and mural painters from around the world, and also to attend Concorso di Madonnari in Nocera Superiore, Italy.

Salon takes place is a different city each year, and this year was Leeuwarden, Netherlands. The theme was Alma Tadema, the Dutch painter from the area. {The area is also home to artist M.C. Escher). Salon is my favorite event of the year, a mixture of professional development and meeting with friends.

While the world of muralists and decorative painters is quite large, this is a group of people passionate about the history of decorative painting and its techniques, from fresco painters, to wood grainers and marble painters. Its comprised of three main areas, an exhibition area, a demonstration area and a lecture area.

For the exhibition, I create a panel looking inside a church that was painted by Tadema. I used a different view of the church, but tried to capture the feeling of space which he so eloquently rendered.

For 4 days, artists from around the world celebrate our craft. Its quite an honor, and rather humbling, to be watching and learning from some of the best in the business, including Dru Blair, Stefano Luca,, Pascal Amblard and others. Watching and being able to ask questions about their techniques goes along way in pushing myself forward.

Outside Salon hours, the days are filled with food and wine, meeting with old friends and making new ones. Salon has a certain “tribe” or family feel to it. There is no artistic competitiveness or ego. Its about celebrating our craft and working together so that everyone rises to the top. That is quite unusual in art circles.

Next year Salon will be in Chamonix, France. Its a year away but Im already planning my panel!!!!!!

Photos from Salon