As an exciting conclusion to the 1st Annual PleinAir Salon competition, a check for $15,000 was presented to New Jersey artist D. Eleinne Basa for her painting “Afternoon Light” during the 1st Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo in Las Vegas on April 12, 2012. Other awards were presented totaling $6,000.

Oregon artist Thomas Jefferson Kitts offered a wealth of good advice when he was interviewed for an article by Bob Bahr on marketing plein air paintings that will be included in the April/May issue of PleinAir. We decided to included more of his helpful comments in this issue of the PleinAir Today e-Newsletter. Kitts will be a valuable demonstrator during the  Red Rock National Conservation Area during the 1st Annual PleinAir Convention & Expo.

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.

We’ve added a more complete schedule of events, photographs of the speakers and instructors, and registration information to the website for the 1st Annual PleinAir Convention & Expo in April 12-15, 2012. Check out the details about the event that everyone is talking about and planning to attend!