Painting Exhibitions and Events

Discover upcoming artist events, art exhibitions, paint-outs, quick draws, Invitationals, and more for plein air artists and collectors.

Intuitive Draftsman, Innovative Watercolorist: John Marin

The work of John Marin (1870-1953), gets a revelatory new look in an exhibition originating at the Arkansas Arts Center, affording a unique opportunity to see finished watercolors, etchings, and oil paintings reunited with the sketches on which they were based, for the first time outside the artist’s studio.

Pioneering Painter Celebrated in Sacramento

California artist E. Charlton Fortune (1885-1969) came of age during a time when women began to redefine their roles in society, pushing the boundaries of what was expected of them and challenging the status quo. An exhibition of her work, titled “E. Charlton Fortune: The Colorful Spirit,” will be on view at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA from January 28-April 22, 2018. You need to know about her!

Convention Preview: Find Spiritual & Personal Support

During her presentation at the Plein Air Convention & Expo, Tennessee artist Kathie Odom will reveal that she has been fortunate to find spiritual and personal support as her career skyrocketed to higher levels. What will she recommend to artists in Santa Fe?

Find Important Information in the Shadows

“If people start looking for color in the shadow, they will see it,” says Mark Fehlman, one of the featured artists at the Plein Air Convention & Expo. “If they stop and look, compare things, and consider what they want to emphasize most, they will get a lot more out of their observations.” How does Fehlman actually accomplish that?

Trekking Artists to Exhibit: The Granite Group

Over the past few years, some of California’s most distinguished plein air artists have painted in the wilderness areas of the High Sierra Mountains. Now a large group of their plein air and studio paintings are on exhibition. Find out which artists are included in the show.
Artists on Location Plein Air Event

Start Planning for 2018 Plein Air Events

With dozens of events to consider and deadlines looming, it’s time to plan your outdoor painting activities for 2018. Here is the news about a few upcoming events.

The Miracle of Light

Richard Schloss belongs to a group of strong, intimate painters who have helped continue Santa Barbara’s storied tradition of landscape painting that began more than a century ago. This new year, Schloss presents his newest paintings during a must-see exhibition here.

Masters of the West Returns

The Autry’s “Masters of the American West Art Exhibition and Sale” is considered one of the country’s premier Western art shows. In 2018, the exhibition returns with great excitement and anticipation. When does it begin?

Becoming John Marin

American modernist John Marin (1870-1953) is getting a revolutionary new look via the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock through an exhibition featuring never-before-seen drawings and watercolors. Details here!

Olmsted Plein Air Starts Early

Although the competitive festivities for the 2018 Olmsted Plein Air Invitational don’t take place until April 21-29, that doesn’t mean organizers can’t get things started a little early — with these.

Who’s Chasing Light in Northern Colorado?

If you’re around town in Fort Collins, Colorado, this week/weekend you might want to stop by the Carnegie Building on Matthews Street for a brilliant display of local plein air magic.

How to Paint Beaches and Boats — and Win

Hosted between November 7-12, Paint the Beach in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, is — naturally — a fantastic fall opportunity for a plein air showdown. All told, the sunny skies and range of artistic talent left judge Vladislav Yelisleyev with tough decisions. Which artists had an early Thanksgiving feast?

Drifting into Plein Air Beauty

The remarkably talented painter Joshua Cunningham is presenting his newest series of plein air works, titled “Driftless,” at Minneapolis’ Groveland Gallery. What’s the story behind the works? Find out here.

Florida Through Russian Eyes

Plein air impressionist painters Julia Kostova, Rustem Stahurski, Viktorija Bulava, Irina Alexandrina, and Mikhail Shapovalenko will each be represented during a colorful group exhibition at East West Fine Art.

The Granite Group

Every year since 2005 an intrepid crew of artists come together from all over California, and beyond, to trek the High Sierras, be inspired, and paint. In the first major installation of 2018, the Harrington Gallery at the Firehouse Arts Center will present “Granite Group: Plein Air Paintings of the High Sierras.” The exhibition opens...

May “Peace” Be With You

Twelve talented plein air painters will be featuring their works this December in California for a can’t-miss group show. Find out here who’s included and where!

A Painter’s Pilgrimage

The Reynolda House Museum of American Art recently announced its plans to mount a significant 2018 exhibition surrounding the travels of iconic painter Frederic Church.

Stotler’s Plein Air Vision

Artist Kathryn Stotler, an acrylic plein air specialist, is currently displaying her newest works alongside jewelry and ceramics by Gilbert Castro at Arcata Artisans Gallery in California. What do her current brush musings look like?

As I See It

Exuberant color and painterly interpretations of place and moment fill Rodger Bechtold’s Wisconsin landscapes. Based on direct observation, recollection, and some invention, Bechtold’s paintings illustrate the grandeur in the everyday. Where can you see his latest?

The Artist & Their Art

Crystal Moll Gallery in Baltimore is excited to be presenting works by artists Hai-Ou Hou, Palden Hamilton, Joanna Barnum, and Tim Kelly during this invitational exhibition.