James Newman, “Australian Trumpet Beach Party,” acrylic 30 x 48 in.
Six times a year a PleinAir Salon juror has the challenging task of choosing some of the best art that’s being created today, outside of and within the art studio. Among categories such as “Best Still Life,” “Best Watercolor,” and more, eligible artists can enter their paintings in the “Outdoor Still Life” group. To celebrate some of our previous winners and to inspire your next plein air painting, we bring you the following:
Derek Penix, “Abundance”Janice Kirstein, “Them Apples,” oil, 8 x 10 in.Derek Penix, “Peach Tree,” oil, 20 x 20 in.Susan Diehl, “Peonies and Plums,” oil, 24 x 30 in.Joseph Burrough, “Flowering Urn,” oil, 10 x 8 in.Joe Anna Arnett, “Breakfast with Roses,” oil, 24 x 30 in.Linda Lucas Hardy, “A Place to Call Home,” oil, 18 x 24 in.Heather Gibson, “Detour on Main Street,” oil, 24 x 12 in.Heather Gibson, “Inner Tubes,” oil, 36 x 18 in.Lewis Williams, “Plein Air Nightmare,” oil, 30 x 24 in.
Have you ever painted a still life en plein air? Tell us about it in the comments!
There’s still time to enter the current PleinAir Salon art competition. Enter your best work for your chance to win cash and publicity: PleinAirSalon.com
I did a few Quick Paint events here in Wisconsin setting up one time a juicy brat on bun lavished with onions, mustard and ketchup and plastic cup of beer, coinciding with a local festival. All VERY Wisconsin in its culture. But heard it did not go well in judging as support staff frowned on it not be “actual plein air” since it wasn’t a landscape. Painted outdoors from life, so it was to me!
Same thing happened when I had a weary painter sit for me following a long couple days in the event. Called it “The Art Warrior”…and heard it wasn’t considered for awards because it was “a portrait, not plein air” which support staff thought should be a landscape. Happy to say it won Artist’s Choice!
First, thanks Cherie for including my piece amongst such incredible outdoor still lifes in this article! It was a beautiful day, just east of Ridgway, Colorado in the same area the original True Grit movie was filmed. Wandering backroads, I decided on this spot. No winds all day. I set up out the backside of my rig, hatch up and umbrella on the easel. Later, needing something from the middle section of the car, I opened the side door as a huge gust swept through and out the back. As plein air painters, most are familiar with the sound of that crash. It was a mess. I was a nut for 5 minutes, then a thought entered my brain. There was opportunity in this disaster, as so many others artists I know have been through something similar. The original title was, “You Feel my Pain.” Painting this, I never finished the painting on the easel. I have had crazier experiences than this! Maybe there is a book in this, sharing the crazy challenges that come with plein air painting!
Hi Lewis! I’m sure there are plenty of stories – and we love hearing them! I imagine the sound of the crash was followed by a heavy sigh (at least)…Glad you turned the lemon into lemonade! 🙂
I’ve DRAWN stillife in my stump series that I sent you earlier, remember?
I did a few Quick Paint events here in Wisconsin setting up one time a juicy brat on bun lavished with onions, mustard and ketchup and plastic cup of beer, coinciding with a local festival. All VERY Wisconsin in its culture. But heard it did not go well in judging as support staff frowned on it not be “actual plein air” since it wasn’t a landscape. Painted outdoors from life, so it was to me!
Same thing happened when I had a weary painter sit for me following a long couple days in the event. Called it “The Art Warrior”…and heard it wasn’t considered for awards because it was “a portrait, not plein air” which support staff thought should be a landscape. Happy to say it won Artist’s Choice!
That is interesting, and I’m glad your portrait on Artist’s Choice at least!
First, thanks Cherie for including my piece amongst such incredible outdoor still lifes in this article! It was a beautiful day, just east of Ridgway, Colorado in the same area the original True Grit movie was filmed. Wandering backroads, I decided on this spot. No winds all day. I set up out the backside of my rig, hatch up and umbrella on the easel. Later, needing something from the middle section of the car, I opened the side door as a huge gust swept through and out the back. As plein air painters, most are familiar with the sound of that crash. It was a mess. I was a nut for 5 minutes, then a thought entered my brain. There was opportunity in this disaster, as so many others artists I know have been through something similar. The original title was, “You Feel my Pain.” Painting this, I never finished the painting on the easel. I have had crazier experiences than this! Maybe there is a book in this, sharing the crazy challenges that come with plein air painting!
Hi Lewis! I’m sure there are plenty of stories – and we love hearing them! I imagine the sound of the crash was followed by a heavy sigh (at least)…Glad you turned the lemon into lemonade! 🙂