Kathryn Stats and Kenn Backhaus just voted on the award winners and semi-finalists in the January/February PleinAir Magazine Salon Competition. Nancy Crookston of Oakland, CA received the first place award; Nikolo Balkanski of Lakewood, CO won the second place award; and Jeffrey Watts of Encinitas, CA was picked as the third place winner. All the award winners and nine semi-finalists now become eligible to compete for the $20,000 in cash awards.

Plein air artists realize they will be able to spend more time painting and get better results if they buy well made panels with the surfaces that suit their personal style. That’s why they rely on RayMar panels and carrying cases (www.raymarart.com), a Bronze Sponsor and the Official Panel of the 1st Annual PleinAir Convention & Expo in Las Vegas from April 12-15, 2012.

Oregon artist Mitch Baird’s painting “A Guiding Nudge” was selected to receive the First Prize award in the November/December 1st Annual PleinAir Salon Competition by judges Kim Lordier and Ned Mueller. Second prize went to Marc Dalessio for his painting “Barn at Turback”, and Third Prize was given to Aaron Schuerr for his painting titled “River Glow.” The judges offered comments about all three of these paintings.

Jill Carver just finished selecting the top three winners and eight semi-finalists in the September/October PleinAir Salon competition www.PleinAirSalon.OnlineJuriedShows.com. Ned Mueller received the First Prize, Marc Delassio was chosen as the Second Place winner, and David Tanner was picked as the Third Place winner.