Innholdsfortegnelse for December/January 2025-2026 i PleinAir Magazine

Over the past 15 years, plein air painting has experienced an extraordinary transformation. Formerly thought of as a niche practice tied to Impressionist traditions, plein air is now a global movement, embraced by painters across generations, backgrounds, and artistic styles. Festivals flourish across the United States, Europe, and Asia; collectors follow artists in real time on social media; and new tools — from digital apps to eco-friendly pigments — are reshaping how artists approach the act of painting outdoors. As PleinAir Magazine celebrates its 15th anniversary, it feels fitting to reflect on how the field is evolving and where it might go next. Here are 15 ways plein air painting continues to grow, adapt, and thrive. 1. A GLOBAL MOVEMENT Once rooted in Western art traditions, plein air painting has…

I think a painting is an experience, an adventure in color and form.” For Eve Miller, the words of 92-year-old American painter Anne Packard perfectly capture the exploratory nature of art — and the reason she carves out time at the easel nearly every day. Miller didn’t grow up with a paintbrush in her hand. In fact, she discovered art later in life, after retiring from a career teaching French and Spanish. “When art found me in my 60s, I had so much to learn,” she says. “A daily painting practice allowed me to play catch-up, to improve my skills and techniques while finding my voice.” DISCOVERING JOY IN THE ROUTINE At first, Miller carved out small pockets of time. After a walk, she’d set a timer for 30 or…

SEPTEMBER Judge’s Comments: “This piece provides an immediate and visceral sense of place, calling up memories of cold water swirling around my ankles as I take in the view. An entertaining ride of swirls leads me into the distance, where a little red rocket of a lighthouse launches me into the sky and drops me right back down on the shore.” Judge’s Comments: “Some paintings read well up close and others from a distance. This one catches my eye no matter how I look at it. The dynamic light quality elevates what might have been an ordinary scene to a level of scintillating beauty.” Judge’s Comments: “This work stands out to me as a symphony of texture and edge quality. The luminosity of the blue sky and the movement in…

Catalina Island has a way of surprising you: by day, wild and untamed; by night, glittering and alive,” says Michele Usibelli. “When the Catalina Island Conservancy invited me and nine other plein air artists to capture the unique landscape for its annual Wild Side Art Show and Sale fundraiser, I knew it would be special. “The Conservancy cares for most of the island, restoring native habitats and protecting its natural beauty. But for me, the magic was in the contrasts. One moment you’re looking out over sweeping, rugged terrain; the next, you’re caught up in the lively color and energy of Avalon. My nocturne, Avalon Reflections, grew out of that experience. I wanted to convey the shimmer of the harbor lights, the movement on the water, and the sense that Avalon…

E-mail: bericrhoads@gmail.com Phone: 512.607.6423 Facebook: /ericrhoads X: @ericrhoads Today marks more than an anniversary. It marks a revolution 15 years in the making. When we relaunched PleinAir Magazine in 2011, the art world told us we were chasing ghosts. Galleries dismissed outdoor paintings as “unfinished.” Art suppliers said the market didn’t exist — and refused to advertise. The conventional wisdom was that plein air was a relic of the past. They were spectacularly wrong. What began with a handful of artists has exploded into the largest art movement in history. From a few events worldwide, we now witness hundreds across every continent. More accomplished plein air painters are working today than in all previous centuries combined. This isn’t hyperbole — it’s fact. THE ORIGIN STORY WE ALMOST LOST The truth is,…

Compact in size but bursting with energy - there’s something irresistible about a small painting created on location. Working on a surface 12 x 16 inches or smaller allows artists to respond quickly to shifting light and fleeting moments. Quick doesn’t mean easy, though; painting small requires clarity, confidence, and a keen sense of composition to capture the essence of a scene in a few bold strokes. For collectors, these intimate works hold special appeal - they’re often more affordable, easy to display in any space, and offer an attractive entry point for those beginning to build a collection. Here, we celebrate 22 dynamic works that prove bigger isn’t always better. EXPANDED DIGITAL EDITION CONTENT…

onlinearteditor@streamlinepublishing.com outdoorpainter.com As your online editor for PleinAir Magazine for more than half of its life, I’ve had the pleasure of crossing paths with thousands of you as you navigate the successes, challenges, and joys of learning to paint en plein air. One of the greatest benefits of this community is the connection it fosters — artists from all over the world engaging with one another, often through something as simple as a comment on a blog or social media post. Every day, I see you recount your experiences, offer encouragement, and build meaningful relationships through a shared passion for painting outdoors. Some of our most beloved stories at OutdoorPainter.com and in the Plein Air Today newsletter are those of perseverance and connection — artists who have overcome physical challenges…

You are a part of something extraordinary. Good news: The plein air movement is exploding — and you’re at the heart of it. Art historian Jean Stern has long reminded us that plein air painting is the largest art movement in history. But after recent trips to China and Europe, I can tell you with absolute certainty: We’re just getting started. A MOVEMENT UNLIKE ANYTHING BEFORE Throughout history, plein air painting has inspired small colonies of artists. The Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, the Barbizon School — each involved just a handful of painters. America’s Hudson River School expanded the vision, and later, artists like Theodore Robinson and J. Alden Weir brought Impressionism home, sparking movements in both the East and West. But nothing — nothing — in art history compares to what’s…

kelly@pleinairmagazine.com outdoorpainter.com facebook.com/pleinairmagazine x.com/pleinairmag Instagram.com/pleinairmag Anniversaries invite reflection — a moment to pause, take stock, and appreciate how far we’ve come. With this issue, we celebrate a special milestone: PleinAir Magazine’s 15th anniversary. Since our relaunch in Spring 2011, we‘ve chronicled the rise of a global movement that continues to grow in both spirit and scope — uniting artists and collectors who share a passion for landscape and an honest expression of the world as they see it. In these pages, you’ll find stories that speak to the vitality of plein air painting today. From artists who challenge themselves to paint big outdoors to those who trek deep into the Tetons to capture their light and grandeur, this issue is a celebration of dedication, experimentation, and connection. It’s also an…

For 15 years, PleinAir Magazine has chronicled the approaches, challenges, and breakthroughs that define the plein air movement. Across dozens of issues, artists have shared insights that go far beyond technique — lessons about seeing, persistence, and intention. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, we’ve gathered 15 of our favorite pointers and strategies — one from each year — that can help you stay inspired and elevate your work. Whether you’re seeking to sharpen your skills or refresh your approach, these ideas offer a treasure trove of advice from some of the finest painters working today. 1. LEARN DIRECTLY FROM NATURE “When I first started painting, I did five or more studies every day. I didn’t use a camera for five years because I wanted to learn directly from nature and…

RECORD SALES AND HISTORIC WINS IN LAGUNA BEACH The 27th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational, presented in early October by the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA), wrapped up with record-breaking sales and perfect painting weather for the 30 invited artists. Southern California artist Jason Li earned the $10,000 Best in Show award for Catching Sunset, the first watercolor in the event’s history to win the top prize, and the first time the landscape chosen for the honor did not depict Laguna Beach. Li’s painting was selected by a distinguished panel of judges: Jean Stern, Emeritus Director of the Irvine Museum; Rosemary Swimm, LPAPA’s Director Emeritus; and Ned Mueller, LPAPA Signature Artist and this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Li also swept the Invitational’s public-voted Quick Draw competition…

The upcoming year promises to be an exciting one for the plein air movement. Plan your next plein air adventure with our handy Ultimate Guide of events organized by month and state. This comprehensive list features events ranging from the mountains to the coastal regions. It includes Streamline’s ever-popular Plein Air Convention & Expo, which will be in the picturesque Ozarks in Branson, Missouri, this year; our much-loved Publisher’s Invitational in the Adirondacks; and our 2nd Annual Winter Art Escape, in beautiful Savannah, Georgia, and nearby Hilton Head Island. This go-to event list and interactive map will prove to be indispensable, so be sure to keep both on hand throughout the year. Get inspired by the “Best of the Best,” in which we showcase the winners of top prizes in…