A native of Michigan, artist Kristian Matthews is no stranger to Capitola. He won honorable mentions at the Capitola Plain Air competition in 2019 and 2021, took second place in 2022, and this year won first place for “The Magical Forest.”
Kristian Matthews won first place at Capitola Plein Air Festival for “The Magical Forest.”
This oil painting captures the glow of the sun and reflections in the stream, inviting the viewer to explore.
First place brings a $1,800 prize.
Matthews also won the Artists’ Choice award, selected by the participating artists.
Matthews discovered fine art while at community college. His next step was the renowned School of the Art Institute in Chicago, where he focused on the human figure. After graduation, he changed his focus on painting outdoors – en plain air – clearly a switch that paid off.
In his bio, he says he is drawn to dramatic lighting and enjoys finding the beauty in everyday scenes.
Artist Louisa Lorenz won second place and $1,000 for “The View.”
Louisa Lorenz won second place at Capitola Plein Air Festival with “The View.”
She was raised in the Central Valley around farming, painted murals to earn money for college studied at Brigham Young University-Idaho under Leon Parson and now lives in Bountiful, Utah, with her husband. She has won three plein air events this year.
Najeeb Abdulrahiman won the People’s Choice and $200.
Matthews and Lorenz are among the 40 artists who were invited to Capitola this year to paint for six days, whatever the weather, compete for prizes – and perhaps sell their work to a local art lover.
Laurie Hill, who organizes the Plein Air event, was pleased with the results.
The judging awarded special recognition, third place awards, to Tanvi Bush for “Happy Hour” and Marti Walker for “Rise Above.”
Twelve artists won honorable mention: Natalia Aandeweil, Susan Butler Graham, Chad Hunter, Tamara Keiper, Wendy Brayton, Beth Grant, Meisha Grichuhin, Najeeb Abdulrahiman, Steven McDonald, Wendy Franklin, Brian Rounds and Larissa Anaya.
Abdulrahiman painted the deck at Zelda’s on the beach, showing outdoor table next to the sand and the waves.
In a new event added to the Plein Air this year — the Quick Draw — Najeeb Abdulrahiman won best watercolor and Best Overall.
Wendy Brayton won best oil and Artists’ Choice.
Joan Hellenthal won best pastel.
Best Overall and Artists’ Choice each awarded $100; the other prizes were $50 each.
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TOP PHOTO: The Shadowbook restaurant hosted a reception for the visiting artists.