Carrying forward the tradition of painting from life

Welcome to a website where an age-old technique is put into contemporary practice!

The Plein-Air Painters of America is a small group of accomplished professionals who are dedicated to painting on-location. Since organizing to exhibit wet-paint artworks in Catalina, CA, in 1986, PAPA put plein-air painting on the national stage, spawning seedlings that have flourished across the country. Today, PAPA exhibits in the finest museums across the nation.

Whether working outdoors or from field studies in the studio, PAPA Members explore and respond to the timeless beauty that surrounds us all. Experience this beauty by perusing the artworks on our site. Better yet, bring timeless beauty  into your life by going to our Artworks for Sale, where you can purchase artworks directly from the artists. 

Please take a minute to view PAPA's recent 23rd exhibition and sale, The Allure of Water (see below), which is documented on PAPA's Facebook page. Consider bringing an image of this precious resource into your life.

American Legacy, our 22nd exhibition and sale, documents more than 35 units within our national park system and is receiving rave reviews across the country (see below). On view through 2013, you have several opportunities to  purchase works from this exhibition.

To follow PAPA member activities in  the press, in the most prestigious shows and sales across the country and in giving back to others, please visit our current newsletter.  PAPA's Facebook page also updates member appearances  on a regular basis.

Come back often to see what's new!

-- Gil Dellinger, PAPA President

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF PLEIN-AIR PAINTING!

23rd Exhibition & Sale
The Allure of Water, On Location with the Plein Air Painters of America
The Haggin Museum, Stockton, California
The exhibition is on view and for sale through January 22, 2012.
The entire exhibition is on PAPA's Facebook page in Albums A to L and M to W. It is also on view in thumbnails with prices at The Haggin Museum site.
Inquiries about purchases should be made to Kylee Denning at 209.940-6333 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The exhibition is accompanied by a color catalog.
(above: Ralph Oberg, Rocky Coast, Acadia, Maine, oil, 11x14)

 

22nd Exhibition & Sale
American Legacy: Our National Parks, On Location with the Plein Air Painters of America
R.W. Norton Gallery, Shreveport, LA, through February 12, 2012.
To learn about future venues please visit the Press Room.
Images are viewable on each member's webpage. The entire exhibition is viewable at The Haggin website, with prices. Inquiries about purchases should be made to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at The Haggin Museum, 209.940.6333.
A 92-page color catalog illustrates all the artworks in the exhibition.
(right: Christopher Blossom, The Caretaker's House, Late Winter, Weir Farm, Connecticut, oil, 10x12)