A star-studded, heavily attended painting competition in Laguna Beach represented landscape art at its finest.
The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association hosted an exhibition of stellar new paintings last weekend, following its annual plein air painting challenge. The 16th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational ran October 12-19, and artists and collectors who attended the week’s festivities continue to rave about their experiences. As ever, the impressive vistas of the Southern California landscape and the scenic coastline in Laguna offered exceptional subject matter. It was all smiles for those involved, but the winning artists must have been smiling a little bigger.
PleinAir Magazine Award winner Josh Clare visits with collectors in front of his display.
Competing for $20,000 in prize money, this year’s winners were honored at an Afternoon Collectors’ Soiree on October 18. Jim McVicker won the coveted Best of Show award for his painting “Heisler Park Light,” taking home the hefty $10,000 prize, sponsored by LPAPA. John Brandon Sills won the LPAPA Award of Excellence and its $2,500 prize. The Artists’ Choice Award went to Ray Roberts, while his wife, Peggi Kroll Roberts, claimed the Collectors’ Choice Award.
Michael Obermeyer receives the Fine Art Connoisseur Award for “Autumn Afternoon” during the Afternoon Collectors’ Soiree for the 16th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational. (L-R): LPAPA President Greg Vail, Fine Art Connoisseur California editor Vanessa Rothe, artist Michael Obermeyer, and California and Southeastern Regional Sales Manager for Fine Art Connoisseur and PleinAir magazines Krystal Allen. Photo: Rick Lang
Michael Obermeyer took home the Fine Art Connoisseur Award, earning him a full-page advertisement in an upcoming issue of Fine Art Connoisseur. Josh Clare won the PleinAir Magazine Award, netting him a half-page advertisement in an upcoming issue of PleinAir, and Paul Kratterclaimed the OutdoorPainter.com Award, for which the artist receives a one-month Web advertisement.
Josh Clare, “Silver.” PleinAir Magazine Award
Paul Kratter, “Grand Stand.” OutdoorPainter.com Award
Paul Kratter receives the OutdoorPainter.com Award for “Grand Stand” during the Afternoon Collectors’ Soiree for the 16th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational. (L-R): LPAPA President Greg Vail, Fine Art ConnoisseurCalifornia editor Vanessa Rothe, artist Paul Kratter, and California and Southeastern Regional Sales Manager for Fine Art Connoisseur and PleinAir magazines Krystal Allen. Photo: Rick Lang
For the full list of winners, visit the event website.
