2026 Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting
Invitational Artist
Olena Babak
Heartland, Maine
 “My inspiration comes from painting in Plein Air and working from life. It is the poetry of light and constant change that makes me excited about the next painting.  It can be a sunrise or sunset, constantly moving water, an ever changing harbor, a storm or a gentle morning fog… It is the fleeting moments presented by nature that captivate me the most.”
2026 Laguna Beach Plein Air
Invitational Artist
Richard Sneary
Kansas City, Kansas
” Richard’s chosen medium is watercolor because of it’s transparency and luminosity, it’s ability to blend seamlessly from color to color in wet on wet applications, how glazing transforms the colors underneath, the articulation of dry brush calligraphy marks, and the challenge of visualizing and planning lights & darks…backwards from the norm in other mediums. His paintings are about contrast, shapes, focus, stories, pathways, complexity, mood, and a dozen other things that come into play during the process. “
2026 Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting
Invitational Artist
Mark Fehlman
San Diego, California
“As an artist, I can’t wait to get up in the morning to paint. My wife and I travel extensively, and I always try to sneak in a few hours of painting. My work is filled with color, and energetic brushwork as I strive to capture the essence of a place. Field studies are the basis for creating larger and more designed work in the studio. Collectors often comment that I have tapped into their special memories of a place that makes them happy.”
Artist Bio
2026 Laguna Beach Plein Air
Invitational Artist
Tad Retz
Syracuse, New York
” I am interested in creating images that are strong representations of reality. I like to go about developing them through chaotic and at times abstract means. This I feel gives a more believable and true to nature feel. “
2026 Laguna Beach Plein Air
Invitational Artist
Anthony Salvo
Newport Beach, California
“Plein Air Painting is the catalyst that motivated me to paint again. For me, it’s meeting the challenge of the quick decision of color and brushstroke. Not to over-think, but to be deliberate, fresh, and spontaneous in my approach. I want to convey that unspoken energy into every painting to tell my story.”
Artist Bio
