SPOTLIGHTS ON THE ARTISTS

Coastal VA Plein Air is excited to have a number of talented artists to join us for the 2021 Coastal VA Plein Air Festival taking place April 15-18, 2021.

During the first few days and evenings, these artists will paint at various sites throughout the the broader Tidewater community, as they paint seascapes, cityscapes, gardens, architecture, and favorite landmarks, among other subjects.  See our events page for details.

The culmination of the festival takes place with two events on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at COVA Brewing Company, located at 9529 Shore Dr, Norfolk, VA 23518 (directions). A ticketed Art Patron event begins at 12 pm for those who wish to have the first opportunity to view and purchase original art, followed by a free public event at 1pm. 

A glimpse into each artist, their lives and their work, can be found below.  

2021 Participating Artists

Thomas Bradshaw – Based in Richmond, Virginia, Thomas started painting at a very young age.  He has always loved the outdoors and found that plein air painting is the perfect marriage of his 2 passions, painting and being in nature . His style allows him to imply detail without overstating it and painting outside forces him to recognize that light is the heart of any painting and that light is the quality that inspires the dynamic nature of the landscape . See more on Thomas at www.thomasbradshaw.net.

Gina Buzby – Originally from South Carolina, Gina now calls Norfolk, VA home where she has a studio and continues her artistic pursuits.  With her husband in the military, she has traveled extensively and had opportunities to paint and teach throughout the United States and in many countries throughout the world. Visit www.GinaWarrenBuzby.com to learn more about and see her work.

Doug Clarke – Based out of Virginia Beach, Doug works in oils creating plein air and studio paintings . He has been commissioned to paint both Harborfest and Neptune festival posters. Painting “en plein air” supports his passion for capturing light and nature in his own personal way and painting vanishing landscapes of Southeastern Virginia .  Visit his website to learn more about him and his award winning artwork at www.liquidmethod.com . 

Karen Crenshaw – We are pleased to have Karen join us from North Carolina this year.  Karen loves the beautiful coast, marshes, rivers, lakes, and the vessels that sail on them . Her landscape paintings capture the quality of light including the pinkish blue-tones of early morning light or the amber tones of the late afternoon . To see Karen’s work go to www.KarenLeeCrenshaw.com.

Steve Doherty – Serving a dual role as both judge and participating artist, Steve has taught art, launched several new art magazines, and served as editor of American Artist and Plein Air, as well as writing several books including The Art of Plein Air Painting. To learn more, visit:  www.stevedohertyart.com

Vlad Duchev – Born in Ukraine , Vlad was impressed by the art of Russian-Ukrainian impressionists as he grew up . Although taking a musical path in his early life , he continued studying painting and move to the United States in 1994.  After almost 20 years of not painting, he returned to his passion and now has a rule of painting daily . Learn more about Vlad at www.vladduchev.com.

Tomas Ehrenberger – Tomas is a Czech born American artist whose love of painting and nature led him to follow plein air painting . He believes that the joy of working in the open air comes through on the canvas and imparts a special energy to his work.  See more of his work at 1ststreetgallery.com/tomas-ehrenberger.

John Eiseman – Coming to the festival this year from Maryland , John has been painting, exhibiting, and teaching ever since graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Painting “en plein air” Is attractive to him because change is always in process and the light is ever fleeting.  We cannot wait to see the works he creates of our lovely community! Learn more about John in his work at www.johnteiseman.com.

Joanne Geisel – Joanne describes herself as in America impressionist painter whose original oil paintings reflect her love of the coastal landscape . Now living in North Carolina, she has the immersed herself in painting, exhibiting, and teaching art . Find out more about Joanne at www.JoanneGeisel.com  

Catherine Hillis – Based in St. Simons, GA, Catherine works both outdoors and in the studio. She has traveled extensively during the past several years to plein air competitions and has earned many notable awards and served as an artist in residence in Dinan, France and at Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.  To see her work, visit: www.catherinehillis.com.

Greg Johannesen – Hailing from Maryland, Greg says that plein air enables him to balance artistic forces while liberating his creativity.  Hallmarks of his paintings include vivid colors and strong forms. To learn more about Greg, visit:  www.gregjohannsen.com

Janice Kirsh – Janice paints in plein air throughout the East Coast and includes industrial areas, waterfront scenes, and farmlands in her work. Her landscapes have a feeling of atmospheric light, color, and textures.  Visit her website at www.janicekirsh.com to learn and see more.

Lynn Mehta – Joining us from Alexandria, Virginia, Lynn is recognized for her loose impressionistic oil paintings abundant with color and paint . She says that it is important for her to create a painting which is interesting both up close and further away in order to engage the imagination . Learn more about Lynn and her work at www.lynnmehta.com.

Elisabeth McGinn – Using the play of light and shadows, Elisabeth captures the feeling of her subject using loose, impressionistic brush strokes.  She is drawn to rural scenes and waterways.  To learn more visit:  www.elisabethmcginn.com 

Maria Reardon – A Virginia native and country girl at heart, Maria’s passion is plein air painting and the authentic experience of working directly from life . She loves that this experience is different and exciting every time . Working in pastels and oils, she uses vibrant colors in an energetic painterly fashion to capture the light and mood of the location . For more information about Maria , visit www.mariareardon.com.

Ellen Sinclair – Ellen Sinclair is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia. She received her BA from Hollins University and spent a year abroad studying and painting in France. She is greatly influenced by the Impressionists and shares their love of color and light. After college she continued her studies with other notable artists. She attended workshops in Maine with Colin Page, Janet Fish, and Charles Souvek; in Maryland at the Chesapeake Fine Arts Studio with Larry Moore, and in Virginia with Charles Kello, Andras Bality, and Renata Keep. For more information about Ellen, visit: www.ellensinclair.com.

Jennifer Young – Jennifer loves working in nature as it challenges her to have a deeper understanding of the interplay of light, color, and atmosphere distilled in the present moment. She finds great inspiration in exploring new environments and working along other artists.  Learn more about Jennifer at www.jenniferyoung.com