Laguna Sunset Glow by Mark Fehlman
18 x 24 in.
Oil
Available at Huse Skkelly Studio Gallery

For me, the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational starting in early October, is the highlight of my year. As a plein air artist, an invitation to this event is like receiving Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. It is the premier Plein Air event on the west coast. This will be my third time as an Invited Artist.

Plein Air events take a lot of preparation. You don’t just show up and paint. About 2 months prior to the start date, I start to see what photos I have of the area, to generate painting ideas that germinate in my mind. I sketch out compositional images in pencil. If possible, I go to the area and paint small studies at different times of the day. The quality of the artists that are invited to Laguna, Maui, Easton or Cape Ann are on top of their game, so I better be well prepared.

During a plein air event, I am often asked how long it took me to do the painting. “Well…about fifty hours.” That is a low estimate, because of all of the time preparing for that painting moment.

When I first started painting about 17 years ago, I looked forward to going to the Laguna Invitational Quick Draw event to see the great artists perform their magic, in a two hour period. I came to learn that the magic happened with lots of preparation. Click here for more info on the event.

My work is shown at three incredible galleries including Huse Skelly Studio Gallery on Balboa Island, The Mission Gallery in St. George, Utah, and The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California. Each gallery has works by the best painters in the country.

My studio is in San Diego, located in the historic community of Mission Hills. Our home is over 100 years old. I welcome you to come by my studio by contacting me at 619-436-9973 or by email at [email protected].

You can also see my work at MarkFehlman.com or friend me on Facebook.