For the last four years, 50 nationally recognized artists attend a paint-out in the scenic Tehachapi, California, area for four days during the month of May. In turn, around 150 of these works, reflecting different parts of the region and its culture, are then presented at the Art 2024 Tehachapi event in July—organized by the Tehachapi Arts Commission.
Laura Wambsgans, Engine 29, oil, 30 x 40"
This year landscape painter Laura Wambsgans is the featured artist, having won Best of Show in 2023 for her piece Engine 29, which pays homage to Tehachapi’s rail history. “The Tehachapi region offers a plethora of inspiring elements for artists. The Tehachapi Arts Commission facilitates access to privately-owned locations that are otherwise inaccessible to the public,” Wambsgans says of the paint-out. “These areas boast diverse landscapes ranging from the famous Tehachapi Loop, vineyards, and mountain vistas to tranquil lakes and ponds. Moreover, the region is teeming with wildlife, including American elk and the iconic Oak Creek wild horses, inhabiting the area since 1918.”
Douglas Castleman, Sentimental Journey, oil, 12 x 36"
For this year’s paint-out, coinciding with the writing of this article, Wambsgans plans on capturing the essence of three distinct locales. “On Friday, I will be painting at the 900-acre Milano Cattle Ranch,” she says. “Saturday’s painting will feature the picturesque surroundings of the Tehachapi Wine and Cattle Company. Finally, on Sunday, I look forward to depicting the majesty of the wild horses in Oak Creek Canyon.”
Participating in his third paint-out and show this year, is aviation artist Douglas Castleman. His highly realistic oil painting from last year, Sentimental Journey,was a huge highlight, selling on the show’s opening night. “This piece is among the few aerospace subjects that the [show] organizers request from a couple of select artists,” Castleman notes. “We are Artist Fellows of the American Society of Aviation Artists. They like the subject since Tehachapi is located near many aerospace facilities, especially Edwards Air Force Base. We also include more traditional subjects for the show.”
Russell Hunziker, Vespers (Nocturne Devereux Slough Cypress), oil, 16 x 12"
Castleman adds that the theme of the piece was simply to honor the many airmen who served in this famous type of bomber (Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress) in World War II, “and especially the many who didn’t come home,” he says. “The B-17 also served from Italy in the 15th Air Force and in the early Pacific War. It is arguably the most famous military airplane ever made by the United States.”
Award winners from Art 2023 Tehachapi.
Images courtesy of the Tehachapi Arts Commission.
The show kicks off on Friday, July 19 with a ticketed opening night event that includes hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and mingling with exhibiting artists. During the evening, awards will be presented for Best of Show, Best Landscape, Best Still Life and Best Urban painting. The show is free to the public on Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21. Tickets for the opening event are available on the Tehachapi Arts Commission's website, with proceeds benefitting the nonprofit's Art in the Parks program. —
Art 2024 Tehachapi
July 19-21, 2024
Aspen Builders Activity Center
410 W. D Street, Tehachapi, CA 93561
(626) 945-3753, www.artstehachapi.org
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