Laguna Plein Air Painters Association

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Amit Kapoor

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Painting by LPAPA Signature Artist Amit Kapoor

LPAPA Signature Artist Amit Kapoor
New Delhi, India
AmitKapoorWatercolor.com

Mr. Amit Kapoor is a leading master of watercolor medium in India. He has been recognized with top international honors for his paintings and his art graces the walls of many private and corporate collectors. Painting with Watercolors is one of his greatest delights and has now become an addiction for him too. He finds an ultimate bliss while painting and for him art is just like Meditation. His art captures the very soul of his subjects with passion. His exceptional drawing skills and extra ordinary abilities in art makes him proficient in any medium.

Received LPAPA Signature Artist designation in 2025

Carolyn Lord

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LPAPA Artist Member Carolyn Lord

LPAPA Signature Artist Carolyn Lord
Livermore, California
CarolynLord.com

A “plein air” artist since college, Carolyn Lord’s early career was influenced by the 20th Century California Watercolor Style of Millard Sheets and his peers which featured bold color and strong design. Her recent watercolors and oils often include aspects of Tonalism and Impressionism. She is inspired by the California’s vernacular architecture, landscape, and gardens. Lord’s paintings can be seen in galleries, in invitational and juried shows. Magazine articles and podcasts highlight her working methods and career.

Received LPAPA Signature Artist designation in 2025

Nancie King Mertz

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LPAPA Artist Member Nancie King Mertz

LPAPA Signature Artist Nancie King Mertz
Rockford, Illinois
NancieKingMertz.com

Nancie has spent her lifetime painting in oil & pastel. She was awarded the Master Circle by Int’l Assoc. of Pastel Societies, Eminent Pastelist in 2018, and is a Master Signature member of Pastel Society of America, Degas Pastel Society & Chicago Pastel Painters.  She has been a member of The Palette & Chisel of Fine Arts since 1988 and Plein air Painters since 2003–both based in Chicago.

Nancie juries, demos & teaches numerous workshops across the US, Italy, France & Croatia.  She is on the faculty for the Plein Air Convention, Plein Air South, and the IAPS Convention. IAPS awarded her the Prix de Pastel in 2018. She was the lead juror for the 2019 IAPS Masters’ Show, and juried the 2022 PSA Enduring Brilliance Exhibition.

Her work has been featured in Plein Air Magazine, Southwest Art, American Artist, French & Chinese magazines, as well as the cover and several articles in Pastel Journal.  She has traveled to over 20 countries to paint.

Nancie was a 3 year Instructor of Art at Eastern IL University where she received her MA in Painting two years after completing her BFA in Painting at the University of IL.  She currently serves on their Graduate Advisory Board and received their Distinguished Alum Award as well as their Distinguished Graduate Alum Award.

Received LPAPA Signature Artist designation in 2025

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

Jason Li

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LPAPA Signature Artist Jason LiLPAPA Signature Artist Jason Li
Yorba Linda, California
JasonFineArt.com

Jason Li, a resident of Southern California, is widely recognized in the giftware industry throughout the United States and around the world.  His award-winning watercolor paintings have been enjoyed by millions through a variety of products.

Jason earned his bachelor degree from Guangzhou Institute of Fine Art, one of the most prestigious art institutes in China in 1989.  His major was Chinese Painting. One of his graduation paintings “Fallen” was collected by the school museum. With a desire to gain more knowledge in the latest trends and technologies in art and design, he moved to California in 1992. While he was attending California State University Fullerton to pursue his master degree in graphic design, his watercolor painting series was collected by the International Student Services Department. That series explored the transformation of eastern and western culture in modern society. 

Invited LPAPA Gallery Artist – The Invitational Legacy: Then & Now – June 2026
2nd Place Award – 22nd Best of Plein Air 2026
Best in Show Award – 27th Laguna Plein Air Invitational 2025
Quick Draw Award – 27th Laguna Plein Air Invitational 2025
3rd Place Award – Hotel Laguna Painting Competition 2025
1st Place Best Plein Air Watercolor Award – 9th Annual Waterworks 2025
1st Place Award – 21st Annual Best of Plein Air 2025
1st Place Signature Artist – 5th Annual LPAPA Squared 2024
Laguna Art Museum Award – 27th Laguna Plein Air Invitational 2024
Artistic Palette Award – 27th Laguna Plein Air Invitational 2024
1st Place Plein Air Award – 9th Annual Waterworks 2024
1st Place Award – 20th Annual Best of Plein Air 2024
Directors Choice Award – 25th Laguna Plein Air Invitational 2023
Honorable Mention Award – 19th Annual Best of Plein Air 2023
Featured Signature Member of the Month, March 2021
1st Place Award – Art & Nature 2020
1st Place Award – From Dusk to Dawn 2019
3rd Place Award – 13th Annual Less is More 2019
Learn more about this talented artist at JasonFineArt.com.