Plein Air U.S. Open

The Plein Air Painters' U.S. Open is an annual event on beautiful Whidbey Island, WA.   
It is an open competition with awards, a Gala w/ Live and Silent auction,
for the benefit of the
Pacific Northwest Art School. 

Pacific Northwest Art School Presents

5th Annual Plein Air Painters' U.S. Open

August 24-28, 2010

 

Juror:  Mitchell Albala

Bio:  Mitchell Albala is the author of Landscape Painting:  Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice (Watson-Guptill/Random House, 2009).  His atmospheric and semi-abstracted landscapes have been exhibited in New York City, Washington DC, Seattle, and Portland.  A respected and dedicated teaching artist for more than 25 years, he currently teaches at Gage Academy of Art in Seattle.  He has also lectured on Impressionism and landscape painting at the Seattle Art Museum and written for American Artist Magazine.  He is currently represented by Lisa Harris Gallery in Seattle.  Explore his work at MitchAlbala.com and his educational blog at blog.MitchAlbala.com. You can find a list of the Plein Air winners on his blog by clicking here.

           

Works by Mitchell Albala

We will have copies of Mr. Albala's book available for purchase during the competition.  Mitch will sign your copy at the Artist's Picnic on Saturday afternoon.  Price:  $35.00

Comment from Lois Silver:  "We bought Mitch Albala's book and we think it's the best and clearest book on composition and landscape painting.  We show it to everyone who visits us.  We're studying it so we can explain things clearer to students."
 

At the Artist Picnic on Saturday, August 28 (1:30-2:30pm), Mitch will be offering:

Landscape Connections:  Discussion and Review
In this lively, interactive review with juror Mitchell Albala, paintings presented by participants serve as a launching point for an exploration of landscape topics, from color and composition, to subject selection, simplification and technique.  Mitchell's session also incorporates examples, diagramming of compositions, and other visual aids.  It will be a fun, engaging, and inspiring way for painters to gain a deeper understanding of the essential concepts of landscape painting.

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Awards:

Best of Show $650
Award of Excellence $350
Award of Merit $250
Juror's Choice $250
*Rookie of the Year - French Easel

(*Rookie is defined herein as an artist who has never participated in a Plein Air competition, has no professional gallery representation nor operates their own studio selling art to the public.  How long an artist has been painting has no bearing here.)

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For a listing of local accommodations, please go to www.pacificnorthwestartschool.org and click on Directions/Lodging.

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Save on lodging!!!  For only $30 per night (including linens), stay at scenic Camp Casey. These accommodations are very basic, but the location is fabulous!  If you are interested and would like to register, please contact Karen at 360 678 3396 or karen@pacificnorthwestartschool.org.   Two separate staff quarters have been reserved (one for men, one for women). 

 

Penn Cove