Cathleen Rehfeld's 2nd Place award-winning painting

Hood River, Oregon, was the destination for 35-plus juried artists in the Pacific Northwest Plein Air 2012 event. Hosted by the Columbia Arts Center, the artists painted an area known for its varied terrain of the picturesque Mount Hood, fertile valleys of fruit orchards, and the wild Columbia River. "A new scene can be painted with the pivot of your easel" says Brenda Boylan, a third-year participant. Pre-arranged and suggested group locations were helpful for maximizing participant's time and experience, adding to the event's strength. The reception was held Sept 7 with juror Randall Sexton.

3rd Place winner Sergio Lopez at work on a painting

The 2012 winners in the Pacific Northwest Plein Air event were Eric Jacobsen (1st Place), Cathleen Rehfeld (2nd Place), and Sergio Lopez (3rd Place). The Green Home Honorable Mention awards went to William Hook, Scott Gellatly, Karen E. Lewis, and Kat Sowa.

Anton Pavlenko


Scott Gellatly, winner of an Honorable Mention award

In addition, the Best Farm Scene award went to Brenda Boylan, the Best River Painting award was presented to Diana Moses Botkin, the Best Sky Painting was awarded to Amanda Houston, Michael Orwick received the Best Mountain Painting, Yer Za Vue won the Best Waterfront Scene painting, and Aimee Erickson received the award for Best Western Scene. Finally, Sergio won the Viento Winery Vintner's Pick for his painting Mt. Adams Sunset, and the Todd Smith Memorial Artists' Choice Award was won by Eric Jacobsen. For more information, visit http://www.columbiaarts.org/gallery/2012/09-12/pleinair_2012_artistcall.html.