Sunshine at the Arboretum

A sunny spring day and a beautiful garden, could a plein air painter ask for anything more? Emilya Lane facilitated a paintout at the Seattle Arboretum on May 5, and there was no shortage of beautiful scenes! Here's what Emiliya had to say about the event:
We were truly lucky with the weather that day.
Although the Windermere Cup event was going on, everybody came earlier and we had no problems with the traffic.
As always I had a "Bucket " of coffee and fresh pastries, which were a little too popular :)
It was fantastic to see people coming from other side of Canal and from as far as La Conner, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Woodinville.

Here are a few pics from the paint out ...

(Photos by Emiliya Lane)

If you're interested in attending a paintout, become a PAWA member today! You can see where we'll be painting next here.

And we're off!

Jane at work - Photo by Rose Berg

Ditte brought a pop of color to the landscape
 Photo by Rose Berg

Yes, that's right, it's spring and we're kicking off plein air season! Thanks to Rose Berg for all the photos. Kathryn Townsend led out first paintout of the year at the Nisqually National Wildlife Area, and she shared some photos and a few words about the day. Here she is:

"Thank you to all who came out to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Area for the first paint-out of 2018! At least 15 people came. It was cold, but partly sunny with no rain or snow. The cumulonimbus were brilliant white on the horizon over Puget Sound while the fast moving stratus clouds overhead created windows of turquoise sky.

The Nisqually, as always, is the convergence of land and sky and water, of marsh, trees, tides, ducks, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Heron, geese and many people with binoculars and and small children. I was surprised that the parking lot was full at 9 am, so popular is the Nisqually Reach, which is designated a shoreline of statewide significance. When we consider that the Nisqually River, coming from the top of the Nisqually Glacier on Mt. Rainier at 14,350 feet, runs only 80 miles to empty into Puget Sound at sea level, we understand something of the mystery of the Pacific Northwest.

Kathryn and Mary enjoying artist company
 Photo by Rose Berg

Obadinah capturing the atmosphere
 Photo by Rose Berg

The best part of a Plein Air Washington paint-out is the camaraderie of like-minded people--those of us obsessed with actually seeing what is in front of our eyes and attempting to create a pattern of these lights and darks and colors on a piece of canvas or a bit of board, as curious as that may be to passers-by.

Terry painting the wetland
Photo by Rose Berg

Gwyn enjoying the scenery
Photo by Rose Berg

Who else is compelled to look at a winter tree or a stream reflecting sky or an old barn for two hours, seeing every nuance of color and shadow and distance. The children, especially, are fascinated with our paintings and when I ask, "do you like to paint," each one nods her head with big eyes. It makes me smile for the future.”

"Valleys to Vineyards"

Anna Lancaster enjoys the show

Once again Plein Air Washington Artists and the American Art Company teamed up to put on an amazing show! The American Art Company is a beautiful venue and the paintings seemed to glow on the walls. While there was no shortage of paintings of row after row of vineyards, the creativity in the compositions our members came up with were astounding.

Siren Song Winery by Valentina Voronkova

Chelan Fire Haze by Kathryn Townsend

Valentina Voronkova painted a charming winery interior with vineyard rows in the background, a scene not unfamiliar to Pacific Northwest wine lovers. Kathryn Townsend used a vineyard as a lead to pull the viewer into the Chelan Valley, but the real star is the hazy atmosphere from this summer's fire season.

The Abundant Valley by Christine Troyer 

Glacier National Park by Yong Hong Zong

The Valley scenes in the show also featured a range of compositions and ideas. Yong Hong Zong's studio piece, Glacier National Park, captured an expansive valley vista with bold and seemingly effortless brushwork. Christine Troyer gives us a more intimate valley scene, with a flowing stream and a hint of mountains off in the distance; the pastel strokes exude grace and  serenity.

These are only a few of the great works in the show, this is not one to miss! Here's a look at the winners:

Jane Wallis introduces the judge!

The reception was well attended by PAWA artists, and judge Tim Deibler gave a thoughtful talk on each piece to which he gave an award.

Tim Deibler explains his thought process

PAWA painters listen carefully

 

Best in Show: Jan Wall, "Valley Homestead"

First Place: Jane Wallis, "View From Chelan"

Second Place: Jim Lamb, "Westfork October - Bitterroot Valley"

Honorable Mention: Robin Weiss, "Hedges Vineyard"

Honorable Mention: Donna Trent, "Sonoma Vineyards, Sonoma, CA"

Best Plein Air: Jan Jewell, "Tonquin Valley"

Best Use of Light & Color: Patricia Clayton, "Sunrise on the Sandbank, Wenatchee River Valley"

Congratulations to all the winners! If you're looking for an inspirational book, you may consider purchasing the exhibition book here! Not only does it have all the paintings in the show, but it also includes each entry, accepted or not, and a bio about the artists who entered, along with pictures from our 2017 paintouts. Get yours today!

A National Park Salute Closing Reception

Janice Wall - Big River Afternoon - 18x24 - People's Choice

The 7th of January brought to a close PAWA's annual exhibition of member work. With winter storms threatening to make roads hazardous attendance wasn't as high as for the opening, but it made for a more cozy and personal event. We all gathered around to hear our fearless leader Karen Bakke announce the winner of the People's Choice Award. And the winner is...

Janice Wall! For "Big River Afternoon," a moody and mystical piece.

If you weren't able to make it, here are a few photos and videos from the evening.

I hope everyone is excited for the next plein air season to start, bring on the valleys and vineyards!

A National Park Salute

Paradise Valley, Yellowstone National Park
Iryna Milton

If you need any convincing that our National Parks were indeed America's Best Idea, you may want to start planning a trip to Tacoma now. The Plein Air Washington Annual Show, themed A National Park Salute to celebrate the NPS Centennial, showcases the diverse beauty of our public lands along with the incredible talent in our little corner of the country.

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park- PLEIN AIR
Joanne Shellan

While the award ceremony has come and gone, the show is still on display at the American Art Company in Tacoma. If you have a favorite painting you want recognized be sure to visit during the Closing Celebration on January 7th, 2017, from 3pm-5pm! You will be able to cast a vote for the People's Choice Award and congratulate the winner! It will be a fantastic opportunity to meet with your fellow art lovers.

Grand View, Grand Teton NP
Paula Ensign

 Jane Wallis has edited a beautiful compilation of the work included in the show, along with all the entries our members submitted. Each artist has written about their experience painting in National Parks, making the book an inspirational collection.

Light Play on Saddle Rock - Scotts Bluff National Monument
Laura Gable

Judge Jim McVicker had quite the job judging this show, there was no shortage of deserving work!

Best of Show: Ned Mueller
"St. Mary River, Glacier National Park"

1st Place: Melanie Thompson
"Clarno Dawn"

2nd Place: Jim Lamb
"Morning Shadows Over the White River"

3rd Place: Jan Jewell
"White Mountain From Tioga Pass"

Best Plein Air: Ned Mueller
"Study from Glacier National Park"

Honorable Mention: Jan Jewell
"White Mountain at Yosemite from Tioga Pass"

Honorable Mention: Yong Hong Zhong
"Broken Arch Study"

Gamblin Sponsor Award for Best Use of Color: Robin Weiss
"Forest Light, Olympic National Park"

Rosemary & Co Sponsor Award for Best Use of Light: Lou Hurlbut
"Grand Staircase, Escalante National Monument"

If you're interested in seeing the show, stop by the American Art Company at 1126 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma. They're open from 10:00am-5:30pm Tuesday – Friday, and 10:00am-5:00pm on Saturdays.

If you can't make it to the show, or want a little preview before stopping in you can see it on the American Art Company website.