ARTISTS & TOURISTS!

COME TO THE PLEIN AIR VERMONT COMPETITION

SEPTEMBER 4 - SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

The French phrase “en plein air” means “in the open air,” or “outdoors.”

A “plein air” competition challenges artists to focus their efforts on whatever is around them as they paint: sights and sounds, temperature and weather, and then to channel their observations in paint on paper or canvas.

These events, often called “paint-outs,” take place in scenic communities across the country where the arts are a tradition and artists feel at home.

The competition will take place in North Bennington, a scenic village in Southwestern Vermont and an ideal location for artists, hosts its first “plein air” competition from Wednesday, September 4 through Sunday, September 9, 2012.  

The village and its surroundings are particularly suited to “plein air” painting.  

The gathering of artists, the late summer weather, and the beginnings of autumn color promise a special ambiance and a memorable event.

M. Stephen Doherty

M. Stephen Doherty earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Cornell University; taught art in public schools, colleges, and workshops; worked for an art-materials manufacturer; served as editor-in-chief of American Artist magazine for 31 years; and is now editor of PleinAir™ magazine, a print and digital magazine dedicated to people who enjoy artwork based on direct observation of nature. He has written a dozen art books and hundreds of magazine articles; exhibited his paintings in solo and group exhibitions; served on the advisory boards of art schools and artists’ organizations; and judged art exhibitions for museums and art societies.

John MacDonald

John attended Washington University in St. Louis where he received a BFA in 1979. Following college, he attended a four month intensive printmaking workshop at the Institute for American Universities in Avignon, France. Returning to the States, he received an MA degree in drawing and painting from Purdue University in 1982. For nearly thirty years, John has worked as both a full-time freelance illustrator and landscape painter. He has won awards from Print Magazine as well as having work appear in the Society of Illustrators annual show. His paintings can be found in private, corporate, and museum collections throughout North America.  He is certified through the Creativity Coaching Association as a creativity coach, working with individual clients and giving workshops and presentations.  Professional memberships have included the Society of Illustrators, the Illustrators Partnership of America, the National Association of Plein Air Painters, and the Graphic Artists Guild. 

Robert O'Brien

Robert O’Brien has been painting in the watercolor medium for 40 years. He is a signature member of the American, National and Vermont Watercolor Societies as well as others. He is a full time award winning artist and instructor who recently won the John Alford Memorial Award at the 5^th Annual Exhibition at Grafton, the Virginia Avery Award at the 2011 New England Watercolor Society’s Juried Signature Members Show in Boston and Honorable Mention at the 61^st National Exhibition of the Academic Artists Association. In 2010 he won the North Shore Art Association Award at the New England Watercolor Society’s Juried Signature Members Show. Also in 2010, he was the Juror of Awards for the 34^th International Exhibition of the North East Watercolor Society. Robert O’Brien is the former Director of Exhibitions for the Vermont Watercolor Society and currently the Scholarship Chair for the American Watercolor Society. Robert teaches many workshops throughout the United States and abroad. www.robertjobrien.com .