Painting of the Week: “Boathouse Cove”
"My home state, Maine, holds a special place in my heart,” says Olena Babak. “Among its few plein air events, Cape Elizabeth’s Paint for Preservation has been ...
How a Chance Meeting at PACE Enriched My Life
They say you’re never too old to learn something new. I’ve also discovered you’re never too old to make new friends—especially when plein air painting brings you together.
Stretching the Canvas of Truth
Exaggerated claims can cost an artist everything. Find out how stretching the truth can destroy trust with galleries before your career even starts.
Welcoming the Next Generation of Plein Air Painters
One of the wonderful things about plein air painting is that it transcends societal boundaries and norms, including age. We’re seeing more people prioritizing it in their lives, throughout their lives - not just when retired.
7 Paintings of Faraway Places
Join these plein air painters as they journey beyond the familiar, setting up their easels in distant corners of the globe to capture the light, atmosphere, and essence of foreign lands with works that invite us to see the world through their eyes.
The Joy of Painting—and Sharing
Whether you’re heading into the field for the first time or the hundredth, I hope this issue of PleinAir Magazine inspires you to try something new, to share something useful, and to remember why you started painting in the first place.
First Place: “Sunburst Upon a Tranquil Silence”
Dave Santillanes has revealed his selections for the May 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
Postcard from the Road: Vladislav Yeliseyev in Cozumel
Florida artist Vladislav Yeliseyev captures an unexpected plein air moment during a family cruise stop in Cozumel, transforming a mundane port scene into a vibrant watercolor with creative composition.
Plein Air Today Reader Spotlight: A Mother-Daughter Duo
We love to hear from the Plein Air Today community! The following is part of a series that spotlights an artist who loves painting outdoors. Today's feature is from Sloane Keats.
A Delightful Day in the Adirondacks
Recently, Eric Rhoads led his annual Publisher's Invitational art retreat in the Adirondacks of New York. Many artists who attend come year after year...
From Online to In-Person at PACE
When you come to the Plein Air Convention & Expo (PACE), you're bound to make new friends in the art community. This year, I was lucky to meet Carolyn Grand, who shared ...
Finding America: My Transformative Plein Air Painting Road Trip
In 2018, I went on a road trip across the U.S in search of “the real America,” documenting my travels through plein air painting. Little did I know this trip would change my life – and my painting career – forever.
Global Watercolor Pros Unite
Recently, some of the top watercolor artists in the world gathered in Reno and Lake Tahoe to share their best plein air painting advice with hundreds of outdoor painters of all skill levels at the 2025 Plein Air Convention & Expo.
A PACE Moment: New Ways of Looking
"What a wonderful experience doing some plein air painting and some demonstrations at the Plein Air Convention in Reno, Nevada," said Samantha Williams Chapelsky...
What’s Inside PleinAir Magazine, June/July ’25
Discover the beauty and artistry of plein air painting in the June/July 2025 issue of PleinAir magazine. Explore stunning landscapes, insightful artist features, practical painting tips, and the latest events in the plein air community.
One of the Best of This Generation
J. Ben Whiteside, owner of The Red Piano Gallery, has revealed his selections for the April 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
Until We Meet Again!
"Our final day of painting at Lake Tahoe, and my heart is full," shared Michelle Held on Instagram. "I spent the week supporting other...
A Taste of Tahoe National Forest
Plus! The next Plein Air Convention & Expo will be held in ...
Painting the “100-Mile View” in Virginia City
On our second paint-out of the 12th Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo, several buses of artists wound our way up through the mountains surrounding Reno to Virginia City, a mining town established in 1859.
Hundreds of Painters Line the Truckee Riverwalk
Welcome back to your Plein Air Convention & Expo highlights! On Tuesday, our paint-out destination was the historic Truckee Riverwalk, where hundreds of painters set up along the paved, scenic route along the small river nestled in downtown Reno.