EXTREME PLEIN AIR2025-12-20T15:44:17+00:00

EXTREME PLEIN AIR RETURNS!

Kick Off the New Year With Idaho’s Hardiest Outdoor Painting Event

January 1–25, 2026 • Reception January 29, 5–7pm at Finer Frames

 

If there’s one thing we know about Idaho artists, it’s that you’re a tough, creative, nature-loving bunch. While most people ring in the New Year by staying warm indoors, the Plein Air Painters of Idaho bundle up, grab their pochade boxes, and head outside to chase winter light and snowy landscapes.

And that’s exactly why Extreme Plein Air has become one of our favorite annual traditions here at Finer Frames. It’s fun. It’s friendly. And yes—it’s a little wild.

Because let’s be honest…
Painting outside in January?
In Idaho?
That’s not just plein air.
That’s EXTREME plein air.
And we absolutely love you for it.

❄️ What Is Extreme Plein Air?

Extreme Plein Air is our annual month-long celebration of outdoor painting during the most dramatic, chilly, beautiful time of year.

From January 1 through January 25, artists of all levels are invited to brave the elements and create fresh outdoor paintings—whether you’re capturing snowy fields, morning fog, frosted barns, sunlit mountains, or whatever winter gives you.

Then, submit your finished piece to be entered into our artist raffle, where you can win fun prizes, art goodies, and Finer Frames surprises.

Finally, join us at our warm (and heated!) gallery for a reception on Thursday, January 29 from 5–7pm to celebrate the artwork, share winter-painting stories, and draw the raffle winners.

🎨 How to Participate

1. Paint Outdoors Between January 1–25
Anywhere in Idaho—or wherever you’re celebrating winter. Snowy mountains, neighborhood trees, frozen rivers…if you’re outside, it counts!

2. Submit Your Painting
Bring your finished piece to Finer Frames or email a photo of your artwork to us before the reception.
Each painting = one raffle entry.
Submit more than one painting if you’d like—every piece counts!

3. Join Us for the Celebration
Reception: January 29, 5–7pm
Finer Frames, Downtown Eagle
Meet fellow artists, see all the submissions, enjoy refreshments, and cheer as we draw the raffle winners.

🏆 Prizes!

Participating artists will be entered to win one of several fun prizes, including:

  • Gift certificates
  • Art supplies
  • Framing discounts
  • Finer Frames surprises
  • And of course—bragging rights for surviving an Idaho plein-air January

(Prizes will be announced at 6pm during the reception.)

❄️ Why We Call It “Extreme”

This event started as a playful challenge among members of the Plein Air Painters of Idaho—part tradition, part dare, and part “let’s see who’s tough enough to paint with frozen fingers.”

Over the years, it has become a cherished celebration of:

  • The hardy spirit of Idaho’s artists
  • The camaraderie of painting outdoors together
  • The beauty of winter landscapes
  • The joy of starting the year with creativity and community

Think of it as artistic polar-plunging—only with easels.

Some years it’s freezing.
Some years it’s muddy.
Some years it’s surprisingly warm.
But it’s always fun.

And every winter we’re reminded that plein air painters are a special kind of brave.

🖼️ Spread the Word & Share Your Painting Adventures

We encourage artists to share their Extreme Plein Air outings on social media using our event hashtag:

#ExtremePleinAir2026

Tag @finerframes so we can share your posts!
We love seeing snowy painting setups, frosty brushes, and the magic you create outdoors.

❤️ A Thank-You to the Artists

Extreme Plein Air only works because of the incredible artists who step outside—even when the wind bites—and make something beautiful from the cold.

Your passion, your ruggedness, and your devotion to plein air painting inspire our whole community. This event is our way of cheering you on, celebrating your creativity, and giving you a warm place to gather when the painting’s done.

🎉 See You January 29!

Grab your gear, zip up your coat, slip hand warmers into your gloves, and join us for a month of creativity and adventure.

Happy New Year, and happy painting!
We can’t wait to see what you create for Extreme Plein Air 2026.

MORE DETAILS: Artists may enter 1 “Extreme” picture per day into the raffle. If selling work during the Art Party a 50% commission will be collected. By submitting photos, you agree to allow use of the photos for marketing purposes by Finer Frames & the Eagle Plein Air Festival. Any questions may be directed to gallery@finerframes.com or call/text 208.888.9898

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