What’s Inside: PleinAir Magazine February/March 2026

This issue features the 2026 Artists' Guide to Workshops, Schools, and Ateliers; National Park Service Art Collections; Immigrant Stories; and ...
Raj Chaudhuri plein air painting in India

How Plein Air Painting Sets Me Up For Success

In this art snippet, Raj Chaudhuri, who has been on the faculty of the Plein Air Convention & Expo, shares his inspiration for plein air painting, specifically in India, where he grew up. He now travels the world teaching and painting.
Winter painting with snow - 9. Susan Lynn, "Winter Shadows," 2024, watercolor, 9 x 12 in., Available from artist, Studio from plein air study

11 Winter Wonderlands

Winter landscape paintings captivate us with their serene beauty, transforming the familiar into scenes of quiet wonder.
PleinAir Magazine - Stories abound at the Plein Air Convention, where I collect advice from artists like Daniel Marshall, Lisa Wang, and Joseph Zbukvic.

From Pages to Pixels: Celebrating 15 Years of PleinAir Magazine

One of the greatest benefits of this community is the connection it fosters — artists from all over the world engaging with one another, often through something as simple as a comment on a blog or social media post.
Nocturne painting of a house - Tim Horn, "Over the Edge," 2024, oil, 11 x 14 in., collection the artist, plein air

Painting a Nocturne? Be Mindful of This

I took the painting as far as I could on location, then I packed up my gear and loaded it into the trunk of my car...
Melanie Barash Levitt plein air painting in winter

5 Ways to Overcome Challenges of Painting in Winter

Plein air oil painter Melanie Barash Levitt loves painting in winter. Here, she shares how oil painters in particular can make it a successful practice.
Painting of a building and a tree - Laurel Lake McGuire, “Round Barn,” 2023, watercolor, 8 x 10 in., Available from artist, Plein air

10 Tiny Treasures

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 ...
Painting of penguins and the Northern Lights - Holiday Greeting Cards - Sam Paonessa, “What do you call artists who paint in extreme winter weather? Plein-guins!” 2022, oil on panel, 12 x 18 in.

Meet the Artist Behind Our Holiday Greeting Cards

Meet Sam Paonessa, an active member of the Streamline Publishing PleinAir community. Since 2021, Sam has been painting the holiday greeting cards you see from Eric Rhoads and our team each year.
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 ...
PleinAir Magazine December 2025 / January 2026; Cover art by Bethann Moran-Handzlik

What’s Inside: PleinAir Magazine December 2025 / January 2026

Published bi-monthly, PleinAir Magazine is focused on landscape paintings by historical and contemporary artists, art collections, events, and the process of creating plein air paintings. Beautifully...
Previous PleinAir Magazine editor-in-chief M. Stephen Doherty (far left) officially turned over the top job to me at the 2018 Plein Air Convention in Santa Fe. We were joined on stage by online editor CherieDawn Haas, Jean Stern, and publisher Eric Rhoads.

Fifteen Years and Counting

Anniversaries invite reflection — a moment to pause, take stock, and appreciate how far we’ve come. With this issue, we celebrate a special milestone: PleinAir Magazine’s 15th anniversary.
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.
unique gifts for artists - easel clip for paint brushes

Gifts for Artists: Your 2025 Holiday Shopping Guide

This list has it all: gorgeous frames, beautiful paints, and a special section of gifts under $50!
Watercolor sketch - Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, Marrakesh

Plein Air Watercolor – From Marrakech to the Mountains

Tag along with this popular watercolor instructor as she guides you through Africa’s largest urban market, an ancient mountaintop fortress, and the sandy beaches of a popular beach resort, and introduces you to the people and cultural traditions of Morocco.
Jack McGowan, plein air painting

Plein Air Today Reader Spotlight: Jack McGowan

The following is part of a series that spotlights an artist who loves painting outdoors. Today's feature is on the President of the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Jack McGowan.
Mark Baral, featured in the PleinAir Magazine article “Next in Line” (October/November 2025).

The Future of Plein Air is in Their Hands

When we nurture the next generation, we’re not just protecting a tradition — we’re ensuring that the beauty of the world, as seen through the artist’s eye, continues to be celebrated for years to come.
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 ...
Artists displaying their work together at the third annual Island Plein Air

“I Didn’t Know Art Could Make Me This Happy”

Canadian plein air artist Simonne Munzi Smith reported that for the third time, artists have gathered at Prince Edward Island for “Island Plein Air” (IPA).
Donating Art - painting scene of an auction

On Donating Art: Giving Back or Giving Too Much?

Our expert takes a look at the rewards and drawbacks of donating artwork to a charity auction.
Sorolla’s garden

Art Inspiration: Sorolla’s Garden

Like many of his fellow Impressionists in France, Spanish artist Joaquín Sorolla designed extensive gardens around his home and studio in Madrid (now the Sorolla Museum) as a reflection of his own creativity and works of art in themselves.