NORTHWEST Lavender Paint Out
Paint in the participating lavender fields of Oregon and Washington June 9 through July 9, 2025. Each artist can choose when and where to paint during each participating farms' “open-for-artists” hours. Many farms are near world class wineries, are scattered through-out the state and some even have mountains as a backdrop to the lovely purple fields. This is a great venue for first-time “en plein air” painters, so don’t be shy, join us for a great painting adventure.
Artist registration for 2025 IS OPEN ON APRIL 1
IMPORTANT DATES
Registration: April 1 — May 31 (or when we hit 200 registrants)
Information on farms goes out: by June 2, 2025
Painting at the lavender farms: between June 9 - July 9
Artwork drop off date: Thursday, July 11
Artist reception: Friday, July 11, 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Festival dates: July 12 — 13
Art pick-up: Sunday, July 13 (evening) & Monday, July 14
Our 2025 Guest Judge is Lori McNee, an American artist hailing from the stunning central mountains of Idaho. She creates a diverse range of artwork, including poetic studio landscapes, vivid plein air studies, elegant still-life paintings, and wildlife art. Inspired by nature, Lori's art reflects her deep love for the great outdoors and its magnificent creatures. While oil painting remains her primary medium, she also works in encaustic and gouache, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
She is a Signature Member of Oil Painters of America, the American Impressionist Society, the Heartland Art Club, and an out-of-state member of the California Art Club. Lori is a certified Master Artist in Cobra Water-mixable Oil Paints and an International Artist Ambassador for Royal Talens.
A dedicated instructor, Lori offers online workshops through Lori's Fine Art Tips School at art.LoriMcNee.com
and teaches painting workshops across the United States and abroad. She also judges plein air events nationwide and inspires artists through her writing, blogging, and speaking engagements. Her popular book, Fine Art Tips with Lori McNee: Painting Techniques & Professional Advice, and her instructional video, Luminous Landscape Painting with Lori McNee, are available to artists around the world.
“Often metaphorical, my paintings echo the delicate balance between nature and humanity, serving as windows to the imagination. Rooted in the traditions of Tonalism and Impressionism, my work reflects a tonal impressionist sensibility that blends classical techniques with a modern approach.
While plein air painting out in the field, Mother Nature is in charge. In the studio, I create my own small universe, responding to the effects of color, light, and atmosphere. My paintings evoke a quiet sense of nostalgia while remaining timeless, offering viewers a connection to the enduring beauty of nature. In a chaotic world, I hope my work provides a place of respite for the soul.”~ Lori McNee"
2024 Plein Air Paint Out Award Winners
2023 Plein Air Paint Out Award Winners
2023 Judge: Barbara Van Dyke
2022 Plein Air Paint Out Award Winners:
OPEN DIVISION
1st Place: Beyond the Lavender by Patricia Williams
2nd Place: Fields Less Travelled by Tyler Slattery
3rd Place: Thursday Afternoon at Mountainside Farm by Kimberly M. Chai
Honorable Mentions:
Yellow House & a Little Lavender by Andrea Babb
Birch Trees” by Eileen Giskaas
From the Road at Wayward Winds” by Bill Martini
Clem, Meet Violet” by Peg Ackerman
Lavender Fields Forever by Euphennia Wesley
Helvetia by Susan Metcalf
Artists' Choice: Bill Martini
Peoples' Choice: Kinga Soni
PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
1st Place: Mountain Home by Raphael Schnepf
2nd Place: Carriage House Lavender by Tracy Leajeld
3rd Place: Lavender & the Old Red Barn by Christine Joy Swanson
Honorable Mentions:
Heaven Scent by Karen Shawcross
Sit Awhile by Cheryl Mathieson
Lavender River by Tara Kemp
Wild Flower by KaitLynn Spain
Weed By Weed by Susan Elwart Hall
Beyond the Lavender by Heather Taylor
Artists' Choice: Susan Hall
Peoples' Choice: Christine Joy Swanson
Durant at Red Ridge Farms Award: Oh, The Fragrance! By Tara Kemp
Wayward Winds Lavender Award: Warm Afernoon On The Farm by Margaret Plumb
Chehalem Cultural Center Award: Bridge Beyond by Cec Sheoships
Art Elements Award: Carriage House Lavender by Tracy Leagjeld
2021 Plein Air Paint Out Award Winners:
Professional
1st Place: Brenda Boylan “Lost in Lavender”
2nd Place: Romona Youngquist “Morning View”
3rd Place: Peter Fox “Wild Lavender”
Honorable Mentions:
Nathalie Equall “Carefree”
Tracy Leagjied “On the Horizon”
Debbie Robinson “Healing Discoveries”
Susan Elwart Hall “Sun Worshipper”
Katia Kyte “Wayward Winds Lavender”
Mary Wiel “Come and Sit”
Artist Choice: Christine Joy Swanson “Mountainside Lavender”
People’s Choice: Heather Taylor
Open Division
1st Place: Jim Syfert “Getting Ready for Harvest”
2nd Place: Karen Liu “The Wave”
3rd Place: K. Shawcross “Lavendula”
Honorable Mentions:
Alisia Sarren “Sundrenched Stalks”
Lynn Wallace “Lavender View”
Sarah Worthington “Lavender Niche”
Peg Hanson “Lavender Morning”
Carol Kelley “On the Waterfront”
Sandy Shuler “Overlooking the Field”
Artist Choice: Sandy Schuler “Orange Shock”
People’s Choice: Alexandra Bechfold “Purple Dream”
Sponsor/Patron Awards
Durant at Red Ridge Farms Award: KaitLynn Spain “Going By”
Chehalem Cultural Center Award: Margaret Plumb “Wayward Winds and Beyond”
Art Elements Award: Elo Wobig “It’s a New Morning”
Arts Alliance of Yamhill County Award: Christine Joy Swanson “Wayward Winds”
VIEW IMAGES OF PAST OREGON LAVENDER PAINT OUT AWARD WINNERS ON FACEBOOK:
2019 Paint Out Awards
2018 Paint Out Awards
2017 Paint Out Awards