|
I can't believe it, but it's been exactly one year since we filmed our pilot episode on April 18th, 2025. As an artist and a teacher, creating a TV program was a totally new experience for me. It was very exciting, but I didn't know exactly what to do! But I had a vision and an amazing production manager named Tim Hillmann at Studio 94 Video who brought my vision to life. (Tim films and edits the program and we couldn't do it without him!) When we started this project, it was pretty intimidating to figure out the process, but I also had amazing support from my friend, J Schwanke. J is the host of one of my favorite shows, J Schwanke's Life in Bloom. I was a guest on an episode titled, "Painting and Flowers" and it was an amazing experience. J and his family encouraged me to create Eric En Plein Air and I'm so happy that they've become my friends. With our program, I want to encourage others to create art, visit natural areas, support wildlife and find peace in your surroundings. Whether you're painting, drawing, taking photos, or simply admiring the beauty of nature, it is a therapeutic and enjoyable way to engage with the world. As a public TV program, we really rely on the donations and encouragement from our supporters. And reading the emails, comments and speaking with supporters in person has been incredible. Thank you for being a big part of our journey - "Let's Go Paint!"
0 Comments
I'm happy to share that Jim Wright, my guest on Season 1, Episode #105 (which features the Celery Farm Nature Preserve in Allendale, NJ), has an acclaimed new book that nature lovers will appreciate. The Peregrine Falcon tells all about these incredible raptors: how they can travel at 200 mph, why they nearly went extinct, how they were saved (in the unlikeliest way), and how they became an internet superstar. It features 90 images, including an entire chapter on John James Audubon's famous painting and fine-art print of two peregrines. Booklist raves: "Full of personal anecdotes from Wright's many years as a nest monitor and hawk watcher and quotes from scientists and early naturalists and richly illustrated with beautiful color photos, this will be the peregrine primer for years to come.” The Peregrine Falcon is available online at https://schifferbooks.com/products/the-peregrine-falcon, and from Amazon.   Thank you to everyone who came to our SOLD-OUT plein air workshop at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, NJ. We had beautiful weather for our event and it's amazing to see their daffodils. Students asked about future workshops - we're planning more workshops soon so stay tuned for updates here on our website or on IG @ericenpleinair. We're also excited for everyone to watch our Reeves-Reed Arboretum episode (#106) in Season 1, airing in June! Now available: a colorful, double-sided coffee mug. We design all of our products ourselves and all purchases go to funding our program and supporting public media! Visit our SHOP PAGE to see our other designed products.  We are only 2 months away from Season 1 of Eric En Plein Air airing nationwide and on the PBS App in June, 2026. We are very excited and can't wait to share our program with viewers! And now, Season 2 is underway as we already have locations confirmed! It is going to be a great season as we are visiting many amazing places. If you have location suggestions, please send us a message through our CONTACT PAGE. As my journey continues, I am beginning to write a book which will be all about art, travel and nature; my book will be a long-term project, but I'm very thankful for all the connections and support. I'm also currently getting ready for a trip back to France in May while we schedule more WORKSHOPS. Thank you for your continued support and please consider DONATING to help fund our program and to support public media.  After a long winter, I am so happy to welcome spring. Each season has its own beauty, but to me, spring has a special hope associated with new growth. I hope you all can enjoy the weather, travel and discover new things! 
Some of the stations that are presenting Eric En Plein Air!    Season 1 airs in a few months and here is a link so you'll be able to watch the episodes online, anytime! Thanks for the support - More updates coming soon! https://www.pbs.org/show/eric-en-plein-air/ We just added another beautiful, historic and exciting location to the confirmed locations list for Season 2 . Discover more about Boscobel House And Gardens here: www.boscobel.org  "The mission of Boscobel House and Gardens is to engage diverse audiences in the Hudson Valley’s ongoing, dynamic exchange between design, history, and nature.
Boscobel opened as a nonprofit museum sixty years ago. Built between 1804 and 1808, it was originally the dream house of wealthy Loyalists. By the 1950s, after falling into disrepair, it was demolished. Preservationists saved as many architectural fragments as possible and reassembled them fifteen miles north, where the Neoclassical mansion was restored back to—and even beyond—its original grandeur. Boscobel was saved as a beautiful piece of art. Now an esteemed Historic House Museum containing one of the finest collections of decorative arts from the Federal period, Boscobel offers admission to 68 acres of our grounds, featuring lush gardens and a woodland trail. Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, Boscobel directly overlooks Constitution Marsh toward the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, showcasing dramatic views of the Hudson River." Season 1 is officially done with editing and we're just finishing the final step, which is to add closed captions. Next week, we will be submitting our program for distribution! I want to personally thank my family and friends who have supported this production, Mr. J Schwanke and his family, Mr. Tim Hillmann from Studio 94 Video, our distribution team at NETA, and all of the amazing guests and people behind the scenes at each location who generously welcomed our team! Thank you all so much! |
Eric's 'En Plein Air' BlogA Place to Share Art Tips, News, Updates & More! Archives
April 2026
Categories |
RSS Feed