How’s this for coincidence: We just received an update from Robin Purcell, one of our 2007 Ones to Watch, and we also just happen to be in the thick of the judging process for this year’s installation of the feature.

Purcell, of California, wrote to announce the recent posting of her paintings from this year's Carmel Art Festival to her blog. A plein air painter, Purcell has a unique style that breaks down the western landscape into glowing sections of color. She admits she “was probably permanently warped by doing paint by numbers as a child,” and it shows in her paintings—in a good way.

pictured: Top of the World, Carmel Valley (watercolor on paper, 12x16) by Robin Purcell

Send a reminder to your desktop this Friday for the eBay charity auction to benefit the Arts Council of New Orleans. Global market research firm Synovate selected 40 artists and gave them $1,000 each to create original pieces based on the theme “My New Orleans.”

The 40 creations include sculpture, woodworking, glass and mixed media, with many of the artists’ inspiration being Hurricane Katrina, which happened nearly three years ago in August.

All proceeds will go to the artists and the Arts Council to help rebuild the artist community in New Orleans. The auction runs for seven days; you can access it on eBay under the seller ID “synovateforneworleans.”

(Pictured: There's No Place Like Home, by Ariada Capo)

Last week a group of us from F+W headed to Reno, Nevada, for the National Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA) convention and trade show, where we were able to see some of the newest products on the market from more than 200 exhibitors. Not only was it great to meet some of the manufacturers and retailers, but to see these materials in action—either by playing with them ourselves or watching an artist do so—was quite exciting!

Fortunately, new trends this year included earth-friendly products and supplies—as Maureen, the editor of our sister publication, The Artist’s Magazine, said, “green is the new primary color”—so be on the lookout for more eco-friendly art information in the future.

On our last day, as the convention was coming to a close, Maureen and I ventured out into town for a trip to the Nevada Museum of Art (NMA). A modest space, the museum has a great collection that includes some California scene painters—and hosts worthwhile exhibitions such as “Frank Lloyd Wright & The House Beautiful” (on display through July 20). We took the museum associate’s suggestion to start at the top of the building, where a playful, dancing rabbit lured us out onto the rooftop terrace. The hare, Barry Flanagan's bronze sculpture, Large Left-Handed Drummer, is a big deal for the museum: Newly arrived, it last exhibited at Union Square Park in Manhattan. (It should be noted also that NMA restaurant Café Musée is excellent.)

And now, some photos: