Open Market, by Ken Cadwallader, oil, 9 x 12 in.

Ken Cadwallader was invited to join 10 other painters for a three-week plein air painting trip through southern China – a trip he extended to six months. The initial group of artists were given a unique opportunity to paint the beautiful countryside and people of China, and they created more than 250 paintings and presented four sell-out shows. It was quite an experience, and it will not be forgotten. This new exhibition at the Button-Petter Gallery offers a glimpse into the extraordinary painting trip Cadwallader made.

Water Way, China, by Ken Cadwallader, oil, 20 x 16 in.

"I have about a dozen paintings in the show, and all but two where done on location in China," Cadwallader says. "I created over 35 paintings in the six months in China, and most of that time I was on my own. That was an experience in and of itself, considering that I don't speak Chinese. There were people I met on previous trips who helped me, including the painter Tu Zhiwei, who watched over me from a distance.

Young Girl, China, by Ken Cadwallader, oil, 20 x 16 in.

"I have so many stories to tell about the trip, I don't know where to begin. I'm looking forward to sharing some of those stories with people who visit the exhibition of my paintings." For more information, visit www.KennethCadwallader.com or www.buttonpettergallery.com.