“Celebrate the legacy, be part of the tradition” is the official motto of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association—the organization behind the annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational.For the 26th edition, the event continues its tradition of showcasing the California plein air work of 30 artists, who paint on location during the festivities.
Artist Jim McVicker paints Late Glow on Main Beach on location during a past event. Photo by Mitch Ridder.
About the association’s motto, LPAPA vice president, Celeste Gilles, adds, “We strive to accomplish this in everything we do. We are truly passionate about the plein air painting legacy of Laguna Beach and doing everything we can to promote this heritage craft. We put on this event every year to not only give a platform to the artists that we invite to participate in the event, but the funds raised during our event go to support all of our programming throughout the year, including our monthly gallery shows and our educational programs.”
Gilles continues to explain that invitational artists paint anywhere from along the Orange County coastline, to the rolling hills of Saddleback Mountain during the Quick Draw plein air competition on Sunday, October 6. “Most of our artists stay close to Laguna Beach to capture some of the most magnificent light along our picturesque coves, some of the most beautiful beaches along the entire California Coastline,” says Gilles. “We have a wide range of artists that cover all mediums including oils, pastels, watercolor and gouache.”
Debra Huse, Adventure’s Calling, oil, 30 x 24". Catalog painting 2024.
Following the competition is an array of activities that include a lunch with the artists at the Festival of Arts grounds, a meet-and-greet and a silent auction. In the days following, there’s a smattering of “interactive cultural art experiences for collectors, visitors and residents,” says Gilles. This includes the Welcome to Laguna Paint Out that kicks everything off on October 5, as well as panel discussions, the Just Plein Happy Hour Paint Out—where artists create plein air sunset and nocturne paintings— and the Sponsors Reception & Gala Party.
The week-long event culminates in the Laguna Plein Air Invitational Art Show on Sunday, October 13 at the Festival of Arts pavillion. Free and open to the public, guests can mingle with the artists, purchase plein air artwork and watch painting demonstrations. Participating artists are also awarded prizes, with the Best in Show award taking top honors. The 2023 Best in Show honor went to artist Michael Obermeyer for his cityscape painting Laguna Light.
Rick J. Delanty paints a waterscape in plein air while people gather to watch. Photo by Mitch Ridder.
“This painting was actually my first painting of the week for the [2023] Laguna Invitational,” explains the artist, who also shares that light is his true subject. “I normally create a small list of painting ideas or locations, broken down into morning, afternoon or evening light, or sometimes scenes I’ve held off painting until the week of the invitational. Laguna Light was a spontaneous choice, as I was looking out as I was driving and loved the hazy morning sun looking across the town and up the Coast Highway. I had painted the scene years ago, but it still felt new to me. It was one of those paintings that almost paint themselves—everything came together rather quickly and effortlessly. I just loved that warm light and pushing the paint around with the palette knife before bringing all the shapes together with my brushes.”
Michael Obermeyer, Laguna Light, oil, 9 x 12". Best in Show, 2023 Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational.
The overall mission for the event, with pieces remaining on view at the LPAPA Gallery from October 17 to November 18, is to “put on the best plein air art exhibition in the country each year,” says Gilles. “We [also] hope that those that aren’t in a position to buy a painting, are still inspired to want to collect or gain a newfound appreciation for plein air art.” —
26th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational
October 5-13, 2024
Various Locations/Laguna Beach
(949) 376-3635, lpapa.org
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