Kay Zetlmaier and I (Christine Beirne) decided last year to form a Plein Air Invitational in Ventura in conjunction with the Ventura Artwalk.  (Even though we did get a little push -- I mean encouragement-- from two friends, Sue Pollack and Mary Perez...two of the movers and shakers of Artwalk.) This is the second year and we thought we'd blog a little about our progress. Sometimes Kay will blog, and sometimes I will.

CHRIS: Kay and I were very busy today working on the Ventura Plein Air Invitational. We went to
DA Davidson to see the location for one of the exhibits and were completely WOWED at the beautiful walls and location. We are so fortunate!

And...who did we run into? But another plein air artist, Gerald Zwers. He's installing the hanging system in this beautiful office, so of course, we had to have impromptu mini-meeting.

We were discussing how wonderful it is to have great sponsors -- including our Presenting Sponsor Ventura Community Bank, Aaron Brothers, Buenaventura Art Association (our fiscal reciever), Dick Blick Art Materials (a favorite of mine..they have always treated me well if I ever had any issues, which in over 20 years of ordering from them, it's happened twice), DA Davidson, Foster Donuts on Main, Gonzalez Framing, Holistic Healing Center, Island Packers, (if any of you have never been out to the Channel Islands National Park, you must go! Kay and I were very fortunate to go out to the islands with a painting workshop with our juror, David Gallup. What a treat! Not only is he a good instructor, but to see the islands in the way we did...well...guess that's for another blog!) Mr. & Mrs. Artist, and Staples Ventura.

Anyway...thought I'd share some photos from last year's event. We not only had a great time -- but we had rain!! In Southern California, in July. (Hmmm....maybe we can work our magic and have rain again this year!)

We were getting ready...that's Gina Niebergall's "wall"

Okay...couldn't resist a little self-promotion...

Gina and Sparkle Taylor. 

Hmm...not sure what Kay is doing here...but I know we weren't open yet, because we were packed!

Ed won 1st place with his beautiful piece. He won't be joining us this year, he's a production designer for films
 and think he's going to be working in China. (well that's one less competitor! LOL)

Anette Power was a winner as well. She has a bunch of new paintings from Cuba...they are fabulous!
 I'm sure she'll have a couple in one of our shows!

Kathy Ikerd was a winner as well. She camps a lot and seems as if she does
a couple of paintings a day while she camps. She also is a very good figurative painter. 

Another winner from Steve Richardson! He's not in the show this year, but I hope he has time to come back next year!

Virginia Beale is a winner!

As well as Sharon Weaver!

Well, that's all for now! See you next time.