Plein Air-Easton! Announces 2012 Artists

Camille Przewodek (center) of Petaluma CA is congratulated by Ellen General (far left) and Al Bond of the Avalon Foundation upon the announcement that “Moon Vines” won the 2011 Plein Air–Easton! photo by Chris Polk, courtesy of Star Democrat

Now entering its 8th year, Plein Air–Easton! has evolved and expanded as scores of painters descend on Easton and Talbot County, bringing with them an up­‑close‑and‑personal look at the excitement and spontaneity that surrounds art created en plein air (French for “in the open air”).

This is the hottest art sale of the year in the Mid-Atlantic region and well beyond. Don’t worry if you missed the excitement in past years, 2012 promises to be even better.

A fundamental key to the event’s unprecedented success is the quality of the art. Over the years, the bar has been constantly raised, which in turn creates a fierce competition that helps fuel the high quality of art produced during the festival. If you are an artist trying to enter the event or win an award from almost $20,000 in prizes, this competitive element can be daunting as the crème de la crème from the world of plein air—both new and returning artists—are accepted into the competition. If you are an art buyer, student, or enthusiast, the competition translates to a vast and engaging assortment of superior art. A large part of the appeal of plein air paintings is fresh perspectives on a sense of place. By attracting a varied group of artists each year, Plein Air–Easton! continues its history of producing and selling dynamic and desirable fine art.

The following 58 artists have been selected to compete in the 8th Annual Plein Air–Easton! competition to be held July 14-22, 2012.
Paul Bachem, Locus Valley NY
Robert J Barber, State College PA (2007 Winner)
Cindy Baron, AWS, East Greenwich RI
D. Eleinne Basa, Jackson NJ
Jill Basham, Trappe MD
Tim Bell, Annapolis MD (2006 Winner)
Eric Bowman, Tigard OR
Roger Dale Brown, OPA, Franklin TN
John Michael Carter, Louisville KY
Jane Chapin, St. Petersburg FL
Hiu Lai Chong, Rockville MD
Eddie Corkery, Villa Park IL
Valerie Craig, St. Davids PA
David R Csont, Pittsburgh PA
Woody Cyrus, Culpeper VA
Ken DeWaard, Viroqua WI
Ron Donoughe, Pittsburgh PA
Mary Erickson, Marshville NC
Ellen A Gavin, Millville MD
David Grafton, Easton MD
Stephen J Griffin, Easton MD
James Hajicek, Chicago IL
Neal Hughes, Moorestown NJ
Charlie Hunter, Bellows Falls VT
Debra Huse, Balboa Island CA
Russell Jewel, Easley SC
Tim Kelly, Baltimore MD
Thomas Jefferson Kitts, Portland OR
Michael Kotarba, Baltimore MD
Mike Kowalski, Nordland WA
Greg LaRock, Newport Beach CA (2008 Winner)
Kirk Larsen, Hicksville NY
Tom Lynch, Naperville IL
Diane C May, Nashville TN
Jane McGraw-Teubner, East Northpoint NY
Leonard Mizerek, Westport CT
Larry Moore, Winter Park FL
Ned Mueller, Renton WA (2010 Winner)
Billyo O’Donnell, Byrnes Mill MO
Elise N Phillips, Elverson PA
Sara Linda Poly, Easton MD
Camille Przewodek, Petaluma CA (2011 Winner)
Lori Putnam, Nashville TN
Thom C Robinson, OPA, Indianapolis IN
Luke Williams Rogers, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
William A Schneider, OPA, Village of Lakewood, IL
John Brandon Sills, Phoenix MD
Chad Smith, New Hartford CT
Richard R Sneary, Kansas City MO
Hodges Soileau, OPA, Venice FL
Jason Tako, Dover PA
Nancy Tankersley, Easton MD
Bryan Mark Taylor, Lafayette CA
Timothy Tien, Alhambra CA
Bob Upton, St. Paul MN
Stewart White, Baltimore MD (2009 Winner)
Will Williams, Towson MD
Jim Wodark, Orange CA

Plein Air–Easton! is judged by some of the most knowledgeable and informed individuals in the world of representational art. This year’s entry jurist, who selected which artists will contend in the competition, was Donald Demers from Eliot, Maine. Mr. Demers is one of the finest marine and landscape painters in America. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists, an elected member of the Guild of Boston Artists, a Signature Member of the Plein Air Painters of America, an elected member of the Salmagundi Club, and an elected member of the California Art Club. Demers is a highly sought‑after instructor; his teaching has taken him around the United States and Europe. Demers’ maritime experience came about as a crewmember aboard many traditional sailing vessels including schooners and square-riggers. He continues to be an avid sailor.

Returning as awards judge in 2012, after serving as the entry jurist in 2011, is Tim Newton from New York. Mr. Newton is the founder and curator of “American Masters,” one of America’s foremost art exhibitions and sales, which is held every May at New York City’s Salmagundi Club. For more than 130 years, the Salmagundi Club has served as a renowned center for fine artists from around the country. Through the years, the club has been the singular gathering place for great creators of art, illustration, design, and architecture. An art collector since the early 1990’s, Newton serves on the board of the Artists’ Fellowship as well as being vice president of the Salmagundi Club. He is also on the advisory board of The Stobart Foundation. On the Saturday evening of the festival (July 21), Newton will give a talk discussing his picks for this year’s award winners.

Plein Air–Easton! is the work of the Avalon Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide diversified arts and educational programs that improve the quality of life in the Mid-Shore region. The Academy Art Museum is the accredited museum venue for the competition exhibit. The event is supported by the Talbot County Arts Council, along with corporate and individual donors. Donations from Friends of Plein Air–Easton! support the event while promoting conservation and tourism through the arts and a distinct sense of place. Strong community support and sponsorships have helped make Plein Air–Easton! one of Easton’s largest events and America’s premier plein air festival.

Artists’ and judges’ bios, galleries, itineraries, educational components, registration for ticketed events, Friends of Plein Air–Easton! membership information, and more are available at www.pleinaireaston.com. For further information, email [email protected] or call the Plein Air–Easton! hotline at 410.822.7297.
.