Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational Begins Feb. 13

Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational Gala in 2013. At the Village Gallery, collectors meet artists and purchase one-of-a-kind plein air artworks for their homes and businesses. Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational photo.

Village Galleries will be bursting at the seams from Feb. 13 to 21. Boat Day visitors from Lahaina and Kahului Harbors will join Maui art enthusiasts—visitors and residents alike—to enjoy the fine artworks of 25 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational artists from the Mainland and Hawai’i.

During the week, they will produce 175 fresh originals at “Paint Outs” at Lahaina Harbor, Montage Kapalua Bay and a “Quick Draw” timed event at Canoe Beach.

These friendly competitions offer artists the opportunity to interpret and express the dynamic highlights and shadows that make Maui landscapes so distinct.

Maui Arts League, Village Galleries and Islanders Hawai‘i Plein Air Painters co-sponsor the event, in its 11th year. Lois Reiswig, president of Maui Arts League, anticipates high attendance at the event’s paint outs and five sales events throughout the week.

“This is our highest caliber event in 11 years, and I expect artist sales to top $100, 000,” said Reiswig. “Collectors love our event, and artists return because paintings of their quality sell on Maui.”

In past years, serious collectors competed with crowds of spectators to get into the gallery and purchase the works by their favorite artists.

This year, collectors can buy a ticket to a special gala showing Friday, Feb. 19. The $105 admission includes a $50-off discount and a $50 donation to Maui Arts League (501c3) to put on the event.

The gallery opens up to the general public on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Ronaldo Macedo, co-founder of Islanders, sells artworks at this event every year.

“For artists, Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational can be a very worthwhile venture, besides the recognition of being invited to a nationally recognized art event,” Macedo said.

The Lahaina community volunteers and donates in-kind services to create a welcoming event that focuses on the artists and their work.

For a listing of all artists and details for every Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational event, visit www.mauipleinairpainting.org.

Collectors and art lovers wishing to attend the Friday, Feb. 19, Collectors’ Gala, from 6 to 9 p.m. may purchase tickets online and at Village Galleries in Lahaina.

For other requests, email [email protected] or call Una Somerville (808) 214-5294.

Viewing and Purchasing Schedule

Saturday, Feb. 13
7:30–11 a.m.
Lahaina Harbor Kick Off Paint Out
Artworks for sale from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pioneer Inn
Sponsored by the Pioneer Inn

Monday, Feb. 15
6–8:30 p.m.
“Historic Hawaiian Artists”
Lecture by Jean Stern of The Irvine Museum
Mini-Paintings Silent Auction
Pioneer Inn, Lahaina

Wednesday, Feb. 17
3–8 p.m.
Kapalua Bay Paint Out
Artworks for sale 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Montage Kapalua Bay Lobby
Sponsored by Montage Kapalua Bay

Friday, Feb. 19
9–11 a.m.
Kā‘anapali Quick Draw
Hanaka‘o‘o (Canoe Beach) & Vicinity
Sponsored by Mala, Honu and Frida’s Restaurants

Friday, Feb. 19
6–9 p.m.
Collectors’ Gala
$100 Ticket pp @ Village Galleries
Awards & Exclusive Advance Sale
Sponsored by Maui Prime Fine Foods

Saturday, Feb. 20
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Artists’ Aloha Reception
Public viewing of 2016 award paintings plus new artworks
Village Galleries
Sponsored by One Main Plaza

Sunday, Feb. 21
9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Final Sale
Village Galleries, Lahaina

Participating Artists

Clark Mitchell

This respected pastelist of the Pastel Society of America won Best in Show at the 2011 Maui Air Painting Invitational. Growing up in the shadow of the Rockies, Mitchell discovered at a very early age that he could replicate the beauty of the natural world using a set of fine old German pastels his father gave him.

After earning his BS in art from Colorado College and attending the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, he studied under Albert Handell and other fine art artists, developing his ability to create both tightly rendered scenes and looser, more abstract suggestions.

Mitchell lives in beautiful Sonoma County, a base from where he ventures on painting expeditions across the country, fully immersing himself in the countryside he loves. In addition to receiving many awards, his artwork has been featured on the cover of Southwest Art and The Pastel Art Journal.

Randall Sexton

Equally expert in both alla prima and classical oil painting, Sexton said, “The disciplines of the plein air experience and studio work helped me develop a loose handling of paint that elevates possibilities in both the medium and expressing the subject.”

Of plein air he said, “Nature is the most demanding and inspiring teacher… each painting is a simple sentence in an ongoing story that will take a lifetime to unfold, in mysteries of light, color and shape.”

The interpretive and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes invites the viewer to stop and rest awhile in this place, at this moment.

Jean Stern, executive director of The Irvine Museum called Sexton “a painter’s painter.” As a former teacher of drawing, painting and composition at the San Francisco Academy of Art he indeed mentored many artists. Today, eager students attend his private workshops around the country and at Pixar Studios in Emeryville, California.

Acknowledged and recognized by jurors, artists and national art publications, Randy is a member of the California Art Club, Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters Association, and the Baywood artists, who work on environmentally sensitive projects.

Dave Santillanes

Award-winning Colorado plein air painter Dave Santillanes said that his painting style continues to evolve as he steps beyond a literal rendering of the scene. He analyzes a landscape’s physical elements, looking to interpret and convey their essence.

“Regarding composition, I want to simplify a scene without compromising its sense of ‘place,'” said Santillanes. “First I seek out big abstract shapes in the landscape and use them as my underlying design concept. By departing from a literal interpretation, I’m free to rearrange elements to fit my design—to describe the scene in my ‘words.’”

Santillanes also defines the essence of a landscape with “a realistic rendering of color, light and atmosphere,” which he studies directly in the field.

“There is no better way to know a place than to sit for a couple of hours and contemplate it while painting. Intense observation and sensory experience create a spiritual intimacy with the scene that allows me to “speak” with complete sincerity in every painting.”

He returns to Maui in 2016 to interpret the seascapes and island scenes of Lahaina, Kāʻanapali and Kapalua.

Mark Fehlman

Mark Fehlman loves to paint the life that surrounds him in an impressionistic style, marked by energetic brushwork, varying paint texture, patterns of light and dark, and a rich palette of colors to capture the “moment.”

In his youth, Fehlman was an acclaimed fiber artist. After a successful career in architecture in the design partnership firm of Fehlman LaBarre Architects, Mark returned to his first love—fine art. For five years, he painted and sought out some of the best teachers: Lela Harty, John Asaro, Ray Roberts, Brian Blood, Ron Hicks, Mark Daley, Kim English and Jeff Watts. He said they all inspired him. For the last 10 years, he paints full time in his studio at his home in the Mission Hills District of San Diego and travels extensively to paint en plein air and capture images throughout the world.

The structural integrity of Fehlman paintings is unmistakable, lending a comforting balance and weight to the elements that develop horizon and perspective. Among his national awards is the Grand Prize Award at the Laguna Plein Air Painting Association 2014 “Best of Plein Air” exhibition. 2016 is the first time Mark Fehlman will apply his skills to capturing our West Maui skies, mountains and seas.

Clark Mitchell won “Best In Show” at the Maui Plein Air Paining Invitational in 2011, with this pastel of the Plantation Course from across Honolua Bay. Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational photo.

Painter Randall Sextonʻs 2014 “Best in Show” oil of Puʻunēnē Mill captures the essence of Maui history. Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational photo.

The natural serenity of Olowalu Valley emanates from Dave Santillanesʻ plein air oil, “Beneath Kilea Cone.” Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational photo.

California artist Mark Fehlman, where he wants to be—on location, painting the beauty of nature en plein air. Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational photo.

Guests waiting to attend the Gala Event at Village Galleries, and see or purchase landscape artworks of their favorite Maui scenes. Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational photo.

Randall Sexton. Maui Plein Air Invitational photo.

Randall Sexton. Maui Plein Air Invitational photo.