"Art is a higher calling and it is the visual evidence of our most elevated hour."

The artists presented are among the best landscape painters in America. They are all professionals who make their livelihood from painting. In addition to being highly accomplished artists, many have published books and articles and have been featured in America’s leading art publications. Most hold painting workshops and are articulate and engaging educators.

All of the featured artists are among the best plein air painters in America. Most are signature members of Plein Air Painters of America, a select group of America’s most recognized landscape artists dedicated to excellence.

Kenn Backhaus of Prescott Arizona, seeks to capture the "moment in life" in his work. He is the 2000-2001 president of the Plein Air Painters of America. Mr. Backhaus is also a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America.

Frank LaLumia is a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a native of Upper Michigan. Author of "Plein Air Painting in Watercolor and Oils," LaLumia brings more than 25 years of plein air painting to the program.

Jean LeGassick of Carson City Nevada has been featured in a number of magazines including The Plein Air Scene and Southwest Art. She has appeared in a number of solo and group shows in California and has taught workshops at various locations in the US.

Ron Rencher of Taos New Mexico is the recipient of a number of awards including the 2000 Shirl Smithson Memorial Award, Oil Painters of America. He also teaches workshops for arts organizations in the Southwest.

Charles Sovek is a nationally recognized artist based in Rowayton, Connecticut. A master of color and composition, he is author of "Painting Indoors," "Catching Light in Your Paintings," and "Oil Painting: Develop Your Natural Ability," and is a contributing editor to The Artists Magazine.

Arizona artist Matt Smith credits his style to the influence of such landscape masters as Maynard Dixon, William Herbert Dunton, and Edgar Payne. Althugh Matt has painted in several European countries, he is most at home in the American West. He is the recipient of a number of awards including the Western Rendezvous of Art Artistic Merit and Best-of-Show awards in 2000. 

There are many more fine Plein Air artists, some of whom have work on this site, who have agreed to appear on Plein Air, Painting the American Landscape should funding become available to produce more episodes.

The paintings featured in the Web site represent the style and technique of the artists appearing in Plein Air, Painting the American Landscape series and are not necessarily the paintings featured in the series. Copyright is held by the artist and paintings may not be reproduced by any method without the written consent of the artist.