Lightning Show by Derek Davis
Lightning Show by Derek Davis

The 15th Annual Red Wing Plein Air (Minnesota) featured 29 juried-in acclaimed artists who had 3.5 weeks (June 1-23) to complete three paintings, which were judged for cash prizes totally over $3,500.

On June 25 the 15th Annual Plein Air Festival was awarded by nationally acclaimed plein air artist Scott Lloyd Anderson. Best of Show was presented to Derek Davis’ “Lightning Show” (shown at top).

Anderson suggested that Davis painted the sky as he really saw it, capturing the energy and awe of a storm brewing in the distance. Davis delicately created a contrast and balance between the dramatic sky and the dark foreground. Every detail, including the fireflies, were strategically placed and not overdone, yet just enough. Derek Davis is a professional fine art painter who was exposed to the artistic passion by both his father and mother, who were artists. According to Davis “his intention with each piece is to seek out the poetry of the moment and create a realistic impression, dynamically composed and expressively painted that honors the ultimate creative power of God.”

The 2021 Plein Air Event Award Winners:

Dan Guida Best of Show: Lightning Show by Derek Davis
2nd Place: A Moment on the Cannon River by Hannah Heyer
3rd Place: Back Roads, Early Morning by Christopher Copeland
Best Sense of Place (Sponsored by OPM): Lower Quarry Vista by Dan Mackerman
Best Sense of Red Wing (Sponsored by Red Wing Shoes): Red Wing Shoe – Main Street by Michael Broshar
Best of Watercolor: The Gardener by James Turner
Best of Oil: March of the Bales by Richard Abraham
Best of Pastel: A Crack of Light by Avon Waters
Judge’s Award of Merit: View From the Bridge by Diane Foster, A Peaceful Valley by Ivan Zassavitski, Loading Zone by Jo Nelson, Barges Loading on the Mississippi by Lisa Stauffer, Rocks of Memorial Park by Lynn Brown
Open Class Award of Merit: Day at the Bay Point Park by Tadas Kosciuska
Best Quick Paint, Artist’s Choice: Southbound by Michael Broshar
Best Quick Paint, RWA Student Intern’s Choice Farmer’s Market Flowers by Lisa Stauffer

A Moment on the Cannon River by Hannah Heyer
A Moment on the Cannon River by Hannah Heyer
Back Roads, Early Morning by Christopher Copeland
Back Roads, Early Morning by Christopher Copeland
Lower Quarry Vista by Dan Mackerman
Lower Quarry Vista by Dan Mackerman
Main Street by Michael Broshar
Main Street by Michael Broshar
The Gardener by James Turner
The Gardener by James Turner
March of the Bales by Richard Abraham
March of the Bales by Richard Abraham
A Crack of Light by Avon Waters
A Crack of Light by Avon Waters

Visit redwingarts.org for more details.


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