The awards for the December 2024 PleinAir Salon Art Competition were announced on January 30th. The selections were made by judge, Diane Waterhouse, owner of Waterhouse Gallery. The overall and category winners will now be included in the judging for the 14th Annual PleinAir Salon Competition being awarded in May 2025.
FIRST PLACE
Chris Bell, Dawn’s Grace
Oil, 16×20 in.
“I liked the composition – the light, shadow and the warmth that the painting radiated with the late afternoon sun. There was a lot of detail in the foreground.”
SECOND PLACE
Jonathan Gladding, Harmony in Brown
Oil, 26×28 in.
“The subject was very complex with the configuration of seven figures on one canvas. Each was beautifully painted. I loved the light, the silhouette, the intimacy, the subtle brushwork. I felt like I was standing in that room, observing all the children who were listening intently to someone or something. The painting is compelling.”
THIRD PLACE
Xiaowei Liu (China), Nest
Oil, 28×28 in.
“This charming, highly detailed still life shows great skill in representational painting. It is well-drawn, well-defined, highly-detailed and gracefully executed in its lovely presentation.”
CATEGORY WINNERS
Each category award winner is now entered into the Annual Competition. Judges will review all the winners from the 14th Annual PleinAir Salon, and we will award over $22,000 at the Annual Competition held in May 2025.
CATEGORY HONORABLE MENTIONS
The category honorable mention recipients are eligible to re-enter their paintings into future competitions.
TOP 100 FINALISTS
Each month all the entries are reviewed and scored by a judge. The paintings with the highest scores become the Top 100 Finalists. (In the event of tied scores, there may be more than 100). The awards for the monthly competition are selected from this group of finalist.
Click here to view all the entrants to the December PleinAir Salon Art Competition.
