LPAPA Signature Artist Fernando Micheli
Laguna Beach, California
FernandoMicheli.com

Fernando is a long time resident of Laguna Beach, California. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design in Landscape Architecture. After graduating he began a successful career as a Landscape Architect for over 36 years. In 2013, he decided to try oil painting. It was a life changing decision; one that he believes brought him back to his longing to be an artist. What attracts Fernando to painting is the immediacy of Plein Air painting.

 

LPAPA Signature Artist Joe Mancuso
Torrance, California
MancusoFineArt.com

Joe is well known for the quality of light in his work. He is greatly influenced by the changing of seasons and the weather. The more dramatic the weather, the more inspired he feels. Joe celebrates the mood each season brings and he enjoys working on location to accurately see and capture the changing light.

LPAPA Signature Artist Jim McVicker
Loleta, California
JimMcVickerPaints.com

Jim McVicker made his first on location, plein air painting in 1973. His influences then were the French Impressionist, mostly Monet, Pissarro and Sisley. At the time Jim was working full time and attending art classes at Chaffey Community College in Southern California. Jim believes in painting from life, outdoors and in the studio. He paints a lot of still life and figure painting when not working outdoors. McVicker received the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational “Best in Show” award in 2014 and 2016.

Invited LPAPA Gallery Artist – The Invitational Legacy: Then & Now – June 2026
20th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational Invited Artist – October 2018
The Irvine Museum Award – 19th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – October 2017
Best in Show Award – 18th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – October 2016
Laguna Canyon Foundation Award – 17th Annual Laguna Invitational – October 2015
Best in Show Award – 16th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – October 2014
Strada Award – 16th Annual Laguna Invitational – October 2014

LPAPA Signature Artist Clark Mitchell
Cotati, California
CGMitchell.com

Growing up in the shadow of the Rockies, Clark Mitchell very early discovered a love of the natural world. Given a set of fine old German pastels by his father when quite young, he quickly embraced the medium for its ease of handling, brilliance of color and portability. Mitchell has developed the talent to create both tightly rendered scenes as well as looser, more abstract suggestions. Clark received the 2005 “Best in Show” award at the 7th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational.

4th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational Invited Artist – 2002
5th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational Invited Artist – 2003
6th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational Invited Artist – 2004
Best in Show Award – 7th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational – 2005
The Argyros Family Foundation Award – Laguna Invitational – October 2013
Featured Signature Artist – October 2016
Featured Signature Artist – August 2023
Invited LPAPA Gallery Artist – The Invitational Legacy: Then & Now – June 2026