Nearly 45 artists gathered to capture vistas of scenic Kern County, California, in late May for Art 2022, the second annual plein air paint-out hosted by the Tehachapi Arts Commission. This month, from July 22 to 24, the artists return to Tehachapi to exhibit the finished works in a curated show and sale. 
Tina Chong, The Vineyard at Willow Springs, oil, 16 x 20"
After the initial paint-out, the artists retreat to their studios where they transformed their plein air quick studies into finished works.
Artist Tina Chong, whose oil painting The Vineyard at Willow Springs is shown here, returned to Tehachapi for the second annual event.
“Tehachapi and the surrounding area offer a wide range of subject matter for artists,” says Chong, noting the desert landscape and bucolic lakes, farms, trains, animals and wineries.
Debra Holladay, Tehachapi Oaks, oil, 18 x 24"
Most of Chong’s studies in the field are in oil, occasionally in watercolor. Further expanding upon her process, the artist says, “I take reference photos before and after painting to see how the light changes or to capture details I want to include in the final painting. I may refine a field piece or design a new composition before I increase the size in the studio.”
Donald Towns, Elusive Illusions, oil, 18 x 24"
The exhibition after the paint-out itself adds another dimension to the event. “Being a collector myself,” says Chong,
“I am excited to see the subjects the artists find and how they develop their paintings. There is no greater satisfaction for an artist than to have a collector love their work enough to take it home.”
Patrons taking in the artwork featured in the inaugural 2021 show and sale.Only in its second year, Tehachapi’s plein air event is gaining national recognition and the commission only expects to attract an increasing number of artists—and collectors—to the annual event in coming years. —
Art 2022
When: July 22-24, 2022
Where: Aspen Builders Activities Center, 410 W. D Street, Tehachapi, CA, 93561
Information: (626) 945-3753, www.artstehachapi.org
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