Laguna Plein Air Painters Association

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Donald Demers

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LPAPA Artist Member Don Demers
LPAPA Signature Artist Don Demers
South Berwick, Maine
DonaldDemers.com

Donald Demers was born in 1956, in the small, rural community of Lunenburg, Massachusetts. His interest in painting maritime subjects began while spending his summers on the coast of Maine near Boothbay Harbor. After finishing an exemplary high school art program, he furthered his education at the School of the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA, and the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, MA.  Don’s maritime experience came about as a crew-member aboard many traditional sailing vessels including schooners and square-riggers.  He continues to be an avid sailor.

Invited LPAPA Gallery Artist – The Invitational Legacy: Then & Now – June 2026
22nd Annual Laguna Invitational Best in Show Award – 2020
8th Annual Laguna Invitational Invited Artist – 2006
6th Annual Laguna Invitational Invited Artist – 2004
4th Annual Laguna Invitational Silver Award – 2002
3rd Annual Laguna Invitational Honorable Mention Award – 2001

Richard Sneary

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"Pima Canyon Trail" by LPAPA Signature Artist Richard Sneary

LPAPA Signature Artist Richard Sneary
Kansas City, Kansas

Richard started painting professionally in 2011, after over 40 years as an architectural illustrator and architect. He has has juried into and been invited to more than 100 plein air events and organized paint-outs since then. He is signature member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Outdoor Painters Society, American Impressionists Society, Missouri and Kansas Watercolor Societies, & Missouri Valley Impressionists Society. Richard taught architectural design and drawing at the University Of Kansas from 1977 to 1985, and has led many workshops around the country. Recent awards include: Grand Prize, Lighthouse Plein Air 2022; 2nd Place, Paint Annapolis 2022; 2nd Place, Estes Valley Plein Air, 2022 & 2023; Best Body of Work, En Plein Air Texas 2021; Best of Show, Stems Plein Air 2020 & 2011; 2nd Place Artists Choice, Telluride 2018; 1st Place Quick Paint, Easels In Frederick 2013; Best of Show, 2018 & 2012 MVIS Annual Juried Exhibition; Historic Preservation Award, Best Architectural Award, Honorable Mention, Best Use of Light, Honorable Mention, and Life of A Waterman Awards in 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2023 at Plein Air Easton; Faculty Artist at Streamline’s 3rd Annual Watercolor Live 2023; Faculty Artist at the 11th Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo 2024  & The 5th Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo 2016; Featured Artist in Watercolor Magazine, “Playing Within the Lines”, February/March 2022; June 2016; Special Feature in Plein AIr Magazine, “Deep In The Heart of West Texas”, June/July 2020; Featured Artist in Plein Air Magazine, Aug/Sept 2014; Best Overall Watercolor for the Apr/May Plein Air Salon Competition. Richard is represented by Art Gallery Prudencia, San Antonio & McBride Galley, Annapolis, MD.

Learn more at RichardSneary.com

Catherine Hillis

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LPAPA Signature Artist Catherine HillisLPAPA Signature Artist Catherine Hillis
Locust Grove, Virginia
CatherinHillis.com

“I was always drawn to the arts.  I worked as a child model and actor and was gifted musically.  I could draw and paint without effort. Creating art makes me feel good.  I’m relaxed and healthy when I paint and if I’m working outdoors, with the sun shining, birds singing and breezes blowing, I cannot be happier.

Our daily lives are hectic.  I like to think my work can slow the pace, and make a troubled world feel better as I take a wide view of the chaos and bring focus and order to the pandemonium around me by squinting, and then positioning my pencil and brush onto paper or canvas.” — Catherine Hillis (CatherineHillis.com/about)

Michael Broshar

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LPAPA Artist Member Michael Broshar

LPAPA Signature Artist Michael Broshar
Buckingham, Iowa
MichaelBroshar.com

“My subjects are based on the places I have visited in Iowa and throughout the United States and world.  My architectural background leads me towards painting architectural subjects, but I find interesting subjects in the landscape around me. I travel the countryside of Iowa and find the rural landscapes, small town and city structures, and the industrial areas of the rivers to be compelling.” — Michael Broshar (MichaelBroshar.com/about)

Chuck Kovacic

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LPAPA Signature Artist Chuck KovacicLPAPA Signature Artist Chuck Kovacic
Los Angeles, California
ChuckKovacicArts.com

After acquiring a BFA in graphic design with a minor in painting from the Cleveland Institute of Art, Chuck art directed campaigns for a variety of print and media clients and detailed urban revitalization programs for communities participating in the “Main Street” program sponsored by the National Trust For Historic Preservation.

​Upon relocating to Southern California, he focused his artistic skills as a restoration expert specializing in early merchandising ephemera and related antiques. His disparate interests contributed to his creation of 221b BAKER STREET/Los Angeles, a full-scale recreation of the sitting room of the famed detective, Sherlock Holmes. As a performer/emcee, he has staged presentations for numerous Fortune 500 companies and hosted the California Art Club’s revived lecture series.

​His paintings investigate a variety of subjects rendered in the “plein air” style of the post-Impressionists.

Received LPAPA Signature Artist designation in 2019