In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran 2012, the fourth annual plein air event in Zion National Park,  was held November 4-12, 2012. Twenty-five of the country's top landscape painters participated, and several received purchase awards.

Many of the national parks invite artists to be in residence, trading accommodations, working space and an exhibition for public programs offered free of charge to park visitors. Plein air painter Ron Spears will be the artist in residence at Zion National Park from May 7th through May 18th.

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.

Several of the most prestigious plein air events will take place soon, and we want to make sure have the details so you can plan to attend. The Maynard Dixon Country plein air event in Mt. Carmel, Utah is set for August 24-28; the 7th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival will  take place from October 21-29, 2011; the 1st Annual Plein Air Convention will be held in Las Vegas from April 12-15, 2012 and the In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran Invitational will be held in Zion National Park, Utah from October 31-November, 2011.