Capturing the essence of summer through depictions of landscapes and outdoor activities, artists who paint en plein air – a French phrase meaning “in the open air.” – incorporate natural light, color, and movement from their surroundings. Carrying on a tradition that began in the mid-1880s with the advent of portable paint in tubes and box easels and peaked with Impressionism, artists who paint on location today are enjoying a resurgence of interest in their work. Increasingly, plein-air painters share their talents and creativity with one another and the public when they gather in outdoor areas for “paint outs.” The artworks created in paint outs convey the ambiance of a scene that often must be painted swiftly amid continually changing light and atmospheric conditions. The Plein-Air Painters of America is organizing this exhibition specifically for the Woodson Art Museum along with an anticipated late-June 2013 paint out in the Wausau area.

Click on the links below to view additional artworks from this exhibition.

Chris Blossom, Main Sunset, oil	West Fraser, Munken Island Boathouse, oil
Brian Stewart, Summer Fun, oil

Birds amuse with their antics, invoke awe with their majesty, and provide endless artistic inspiration for artists throughout the world. Artists who strive to be among those chosen for this internationally renowned exhibition continually raise the bar of artistic achievement. The 38th annual Birds in Art exhibition celebrates avian marvels through fresh interpretations in original paintings, sculptures, and graphics created within the last two years by worldwide artists.

Click on the links below to view additional artworks from this exhibition.