Artist self-portraits

7 Paintings of Plein Air Painters at Work

Painting outdoors with 360-degree views, artists have access to an infinite source of subject matter from which to draw inspiration. Every once in a while, however, the tables turn ...
The Salon Art Prize - First Place Overall: Kat Lynn Nottingham, “A Moment of Brilliance,” oil, 36 x 36 in.

Salon Winner Truly A Moment of Brilliance

Discover Sharon Sprung's selections for the February/March 2026 PleinAir Salon art competition, which has a huge announcement of its own ...
PleinAir Salon art competition - painting of a dairy bar

January PleinAir Salon Winners

George Billis of George Billis Galleries has revealed his selections for the January 2026 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
Master Artist Debra Joy Groesser has revealed her selections for the December 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
sky paintings - Towering Sky Jim Rehak

17 Gorgeous Sky Paintings

We hope you enjoy these renditions of the sky and find inspiration for this moment, and for the next time you approach this timeless subject.
oil painting of waves

Latest Salon Winner: A Seascape That’s “Strong” in All the Ways

Master Artist William A. Schneider has revealed his selections for the November 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
landscape painting - Thomas Kegler, "Where the Buffalo Roam, Isaiah 40:31," 2024, oil, 30 x 40 in., Private collection, Studio from plein air study

Painting of the Week: “Where the Buffalo Roam, Isaiah 40:31”

"Where the Buffalo Roam, Isaiah 40:31" is an oil painting born from a deep connection to the wild heart of Yellowstone National Park in the Lamar Valley and a reflection on endurance and hope.
Working on a surface 12 x 16 inches or smaller allows artists to respond quickly to shifting light and fleeting moments. Quick doesn’t mean easy, though ...
PleinAir Salon - First Place Overall: Ned Mueller, “Last Light-St. Ives,” oil, 12 x 9 in.

Announcement: The October PleinAir Salon Winner Is …

Elaine Adams, Director of American Legacy Fine Arts, has revealed her selections for the October 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
LuAnn Widergren, "Morning at the Marsh," 2023, oil, 18 x 24 in., private collection, plein air and studio

Painting of the Week: “Morning at the Marsh”

Even though the scene was rapidly changing with the sunrise, I slowed down and just concentrated on color notes, giving each stroke of color as a placeholder.
PleinAir Salon - First Place Overall: Barbara Ortiz, “Nature’s Rhythm,” pastel, 20 x 16 in.

September Salon: Nature’s Rhythm Wins

Abigail McBride, Director of McBride Gallery, has revealed her selections for the September 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
Plein air painter Farley Lewis shares the story behind his acrylic work, "Warm Reflections," which he created at ...
Julie Davis, "Early Autumn, Vermont," 2019, oil, 8 x 10 in., collection the artist, plein air

Why Small Works Work for Both Artist and Collector

Paintings that measure a foot or less offer versatility for painters looking to capture color notes, study a location, and sell to people with limited wall space or budget. Here's why some ...
First Place Overall: Paula Holtzclaw, "A Touch of Lace," oil, 16 x 20 in., PleinAir Salon

“So Many Lovely Attributes” in this Salon Winner

Natasha Isenhour has revealed her selections for the August 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
Kevin Barton, “The Big Bale,” 2023, oil, 36 x 48 in., Private collection, Plein air and studio

13 Heartland Landscapes

In this showcase, 13 contemporary plein air painters bring new life to that enduring narrative, offering fresh interpretations of the middle-American landscape.
Master artist Thomas W. Schaller has revealed his selections for the July 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...

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