Kristina Sellers

: Jan. 2015

: 266

(7)

United States

  • Tackling Acrylics en Plein Air

    Tackling Acrylics en Plein Air

    Just tried acrylics out in the field for the first time the other day! It went pretty well but I need to make some adjustments to my equipment because of how fast acrylics dry. I will keep working on it!

    29 March 2025
    "Tucked Away for the Night"

    "Tucked Away for the Night"

    I couldn't resist the charm of this Fairytale Cottage in Carmel California on a recent visit. Through my mask, I had a jolly time painting it and chatting with passersby. To see the finished piece, visit my Artfinder shop!

    24 November 2020
    What is Plein Air?

    What is Plein Air?

    If you have been out and about and noticed some strange people painting at easels, you have encountered a plein air painter! Plein air is a French term which translated, means "open air". The French impressionists brought attention to it in the 1800's, and it's now becoming a popular movement in the art world, with many plein air competitions in the United States, and around the world. As one of this unique breed myself, I can tell you many a stranger has questioned me, "Why don't you just take a picture?" Well the simple answer is that while photography is excellent for capturing shapes, there is a surprising amount of information it can't convey. The diagram illustrates the range of visual information print material and screens can convey compared to what the human eye can perceive. Plein air paintings usually need to be done quickly because the light and shadows are changing as the artist works. For this reason, most plein air pieces are on the small side, which also makes them relatively inexpensive. They may not have the detail of a studio painting, but a good plein air painting captures the essence of the day in a way that most studio paintings don't. Color relationships get skewed by the camera, but an experienced plein air painter can capture them. Many plein air painters use their plein air pieces as studies for larger studio pieces. But plein air paintings seem to have a life and personality all their own. And so often there's a story behind them, kind of like the stories of fisherman! There is a kinship among plein air painters, because honestly, it isn't easy. It can be so much work just to gather everything you need and get out the door. And you never know what challenges you'll encounter. Pictured below is a recent outing I did in the Columbia Gorge, famous for its east wind.

    28 December 2019
    Worth the Chill

    Worth the Chill

    It was clear and cold for the 2019 Hillsboro Plein Air Competition. So cold that the organizers of the event allowed artists to paint inside local shops during the nocturne paint out. I was glad to be allowed to paint inside Insomniac Coffee shop while sipping a mocha. It was an honor to come away with two second place awards; one for my daytime painting and one for my nocturnal painting.

    28 December 2019
    May Flowers

    May Flowers

    April showers really do bring May flowers here in Oregon! I feel so blessed to be a plein air painter in this part of the world.

    24 May 2018
    Happy Holidays

    Happy Holidays

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of the wonderful art collectors and fellow artists out there! It's a special gift to me that I get to reach across the globe to you through art.

    22 December 2017
    Best Urban/Architecture

    Best Urban/Architecture

    I was thrilled and honored to receive the award for "Best Architecture" from judge Robert Gamblin of Gamblin Artists Oil Colors during the Washington County Plein Air Competiton .

    07 October 2017
    Umpqua Valley Plein Air

    Umpqua Valley Plein Air

    I traveled to Southern Oregon to take part in the Umpqua Valley Plein Air competiton. I had a fun time with friends painting everything from cows to rivers .

    07 October 2017
    "Best Water"

    "Best Water"

    I am thrilled to announce that I was awarded "Best Water" for my painting "Glacier's Song" in the Pacific Northwest Plein Air Exhibition. This is a very meaningful win as I highly respect the works of judge Mike Hernadez. My paintings will be displayed in the Maryhill Museum until August 27th.

    07 August 2017
    Battling the Wind

    Battling the Wind

    Just returned from a trip to the Oregon Coast to paint with other artists. It was a fantastic time but I had many mishaps due to the high wind we had. I was so thankful that I have a car that allows me to paint from the back and shield myself from the wind. It's an old Scion that I call the "Toaster". Thank you Toaster!

    21 July 2017
    Solo Exhibition in the Pearl District

    Solo Exhibition in the Pearl District

    Visit Cascade Sotheby's to view 30 of my works, large and small.

    10 April 2017
    Up to my elbows!

    Up to my elbows!

    Palette knife painting brings out the kid in me. It gives me the same sensation as finger painting, with just a little less mess!

    18 January 2017