Show Preview | Plein Air Artists Colorado

Denver, CO
Abend Gallery Fine Art, August 9-30

Bonnie McGee, Dream Lake, oil, 16 x 20.

This story was featured in the August 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art August 2014 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story!

With four national parks, 42 state parks, more than 300 designated wildlife areas, and countless recreational activities available, it’s no wonder that the state of Colorado is like a magnet for people who love the outdoors—and artists who love to paint outdoors. The stunning scenery found throughout the state attracts some of the best plein-air painters in the country, and it’s precisely this combination of natural beauty and artistic passion that drives Plein Air Artists Colorado, an organization with roots going back to the early 1990s that has grown to include more than 300 members today.

This month, Southwest Art is proud to sponsor the group’s 18th annual National Juried Fine Art Exhibition and Sale, which opens with an artists’ reception and awards presentation on Saturday, August 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Abend Gallery Fine Art in Denver, CO. An all-member paint-out takes place on Friday, August 8, in Boulder, CO, during which the public is invited to watch artists create fresh paintings on location. Artists’ demonstrations also take place at the gallery on Saturdays throughout the show, which runs through August 30.

This year’s show features more than 140 plein-air paintings by 102 artists, including master signature members Karen Vance, William Scott Jennings, Albert Handell, Kim English, Jeff Legg, Don Sahli, Quang Ho, Joe Anna Arnett, and Doug Dawson—as well as several artists who were juried in for the first time this year.

Among the participating artists is Jane Christie, whose impressionistic pastel paintings reflect her love of nature, color, and light. Her goal is to share her artistic passion and love of art through the paintings she creates. Rhonda McCay began painting at an early age, inspired by her artist mother, who was always pointing out the beauty of her surroundings. Today the plein-air painter’s inspiration comes from her relationship with the great outdoors. Bonnie McGee is also passionate about nature. “The Colorado Rockies and pastoral Yampa Valley inspire me,” she says. “I try to capture the power of wild places, and, paradoxically, the serenity found in those places.” —Lindsay Mitchell

contact information
www.pleinairartistscolorado.com

Featured in the August 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art August 2014 print issue or digital download Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!