Artist Profiles

Learn about what projects your fellow plein artists are up to, see online galleries of their landscape paintings, and more in these profiles!

Artist sitting in his studio with framed paintings filling the wall

Artist Spotlight: Marc Anderson

Where did this artist get his start? As an art student in college, Marc got a summer job drawing caricatures at an amusement park and eventually drawing at county fairs around the Midwest.
Camille Pissarro, "The Boulevard Montmartre at Night" painting

Even An Eye Infection Didn’t Stop Him

When this famous artist began to suffer from a recurring eye infection that prevented him from working outdoors, he found a new way to paint the landscape.
Woman artist painting outdoors right near crashing waves

Artist Spotlight: Debra Joy Groesser

Debra Joy Groesser is drawn to almost any subject depending on the light, the color and the atmosphere. Many times, she’ll set out on a painting excursion with a specific place in mind only to have something else catch her eye on the way.
Woman artist standing in front of her painting.

Artist Spotlight: Sandi Pillsbury

“Each painting tells a story, an experience, a moment in time. I strive to invite the viewer to come closer.”
The Waterfall painting by Corot

Too Old for Impressionism?

This historic French artist tried to infuse his paintings with a vigorous ...
Acrylic painting of popsicle stand in a park

Artist Spotlight: Anne Blair Brown

For this artist there is no award, title, or amount of money that can compare to seeing lightbulbs go off in her students’ heads or the feeling of painting something that delights or moves someone.
Oil painting of a shed with sheep in front

Artist Spotlight: Carolyn Lindsey

Carolyn Lindsey finds that interpreting her vision sometimes goes well and she’s on cloud nine, and other times it’s a struggle, but there is always hope for the next painting!
Artist Michele Byrne painting outdoors in Santa Fe

Artist Spotlight: Michele Byrne

For Michele Byrne, her definition of success has changed over the years. “Today I’m seeking inner satisfaction. If a piece makes my heart sing, I know I’m one step closer to reaching my goals.”
Artist painting outdoors in a canoe

Artist Spotlight: Manon Sander

Manon Sander fell head over heels in love with painting, especially plein air because it turns painting into an adventure. She realized that in order to grow as an artist, she had to dedicate herself to painting exclusively.
Oil painting of riders on horseback near red rock formations

Artist Spotlight: Mark Fehlman

Mark Fehlman was an architect with a successful 30-year practice. After three years of art lessons, he decided to give it up to create a second career as an artist. It was a wonderful decision that has completely changed his life.
Artist Cynthia Rosen painting outside in snowy Vermont.

Artist Spotlight: Cynthia Rosen

Cynthia Rosen finds as an artist, she is on an interesting, never-ending journey with inspirations and discoveries around the next bend.
plein air artist Richard Parkes Bonington, "View Near Rouen" painting

The 25-Year-Old Who Launched the French Plein Air Artist Tradition

This British artist represented an important bridge between English and French landscape painting, inspiring such icons as ...
Artist paining outdoors

Artist Spotlight: Ryan Jensen

“I had been afraid I wouldn’t be able to survive as an artist. I had to make that leap of faith in myself, but I truly believed that if I dedicated the time to painting, I’d somehow be okay.”
Pastel painting of country road over rolling hills

Artist Spotlight: Kim Casebeer

Kim shares some sage advice from a gallery owner about the success that comes from painting your passion first as opposed to painting for money.
Woman painting outdoors in a hat

Artist Spotlight: Krystal W. Brown

As Krystal states, “Someone is waiting for what you will bring to the world. Why keep them waiting?” Find out what legacy she’d choose to leave with her art.
William Merritt Chase plein air seaside painting

Loose and Luminous in Long Island: Our Plein Air Heritage

In the late 1800's, plein air painting was still relatively new to the United States, but growing rapidly in popularity...
Plein air artist Hai-Ou Hou painting outside in China next to a river.

Artist Spotlight: Hai-Ou Hou

Hai-Ou Hou’s favorite studio is the outdoors, and she finds that nothing beats the beauty and wonder of nature.
Artist Susan Hediger Matteson plein air painting on a farm with sheep in southwest Colorado.

Artist Spotlight: Susan Hediger Matteson

There are two Susan Mattesons working in the fine art field today. This Susan Matteson has since started using Susan Hediger Matteson to clarify that she is not the other artist and shares with us how she got started in her career.
Painter Laurel Daniel in her studio.

Artist Spotlight: Laurel Daniel

While this artist feels that developing a career in art is a very personal and individual journey, she generously offers some recommendations to emerging artists.
Plein air painting of people

Four with Fehlman: A Plein Air Q&A

An exclusive four-question Q&A with Mark Fehlman, including how he stays inspired and motivated.