Being elected to membership in a prestigious art organization is a significant milestone in an artist’s career, and four artists have recently achieved that milestone by being invited to join the Plein-Air Painters of America. Meet the newest members.

Awards were selected in the recent exhibition of paintings by members of the American Impressionist Society at the Eckert & Ross Fine Art gallery in Indianapolis, Indiana (November 1-30, 2012). Find out which paintings were honored by the judge, Kevin Macpherson.

Spend three days (November 9-11, 2012) in Indianapolis, Indiana with American Impressionist Society (AIS) Master Artists. Watch demonstrations, listen to panel discussions, and participate in question-and-answer sessions. Find out which Master Artists are participating.

Donna DeLa Briandais has been painting the lavender fields in the Wine Country of California for more than 10 years. The peak blooming time is exactly this time of year — late June and early July — so we asked her to share information about her most recent efforts.

When Michael Chesley Johnson paints outdoors, he spends about as much time working in pastel as he does in oil and that often prompts students to ask how he decides which medium to use.  “I don't find that a particular subject matter is more appropriately handled in one medium or another,” he says in response. Johnson will be discussing those aspects of his extraordinary artwork and more during his presentation at the 1st Annual PleinAir Convention & Expo from April 12-15, 2012.

Whether painting still lifes from live materials organized near a north-facing window in his studio, or recording landscapes outdoors in the changing light, North Carolina artist Richard Oversmith brings different levels of planning and concentration to the same creative procedures. An article on Oversmith originally scheduled for the February/March issue of PleinAir will now be included in the April/May issue.

Many dedicated plein air painters work directly from nature in spite of the winter ice, wind, rain, snow, and frigid temperatures. Some of those determined artists wrap themselves in layers of clothing, some paint from inside or beside their automobiles, and others stand by picture windows that afford a paintable view. Here are three more talented and dedicated painters who will inspire you.

Scott L. Christensen chose the award winners in the 12th National Juried Exhibition presented by the American Impressionist Society (AIS) at the Mountainsong Galleries in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California on October 21, 2011.