The Orange County Arts Commission and the Orange County Arts Alliance are pleased to announce the winners of the 8th Annual Paint it Orange Plein Air Paint-out, which took place September 27 – October 6, 2024, throughout Orange County. Ninety-two adult painters and forty-four youth participated in the painting completion, which was judged by award-winning plein air painter Lynn Mehta. You can find her remarks about each winning painting below.
FIRST PLACE
Blackwood Farm Huddle by Susan Paulsen of Chapel Hill, NC
Oil | SOLD
“This painting caught my eye right away and I just kept going back to it over and over. It has such a painterly and harmonious quality with a lovely balance of dark/light, cool/warm and a variety of edges and shapes in light and shadow. It communicates the scene so effectively.”
SECOND PLACE
Farm on the Hill by Ted Smith of Sunset Beach, NC
Oil | SOLD
“This is such a beautiful painting with a wonderful atmosphere. The composition is simple but strong with everything in its place. From a distance it draws you in.”
THIRD PLACE
A Bend in the Eno by Jane Eckenrode of Pittsboro, NC
Oil | $430
“This painting, both from a distance and up close, has so much to offer. It has a variety of shapes, edges and beautiful detail. It has a beautiful color harmony. It feels so peaceful. It is truly a magical painting. It’s a glimpse into a moment in time.”
BEST CITYSCAPE
We’ll Leave the Light On by Beth Barger of Apex, NC
Oil | $625
BEST FARM SCENE
Excitement of Red by Vinita Jain of Raleigh, NC
Watercolor | SOLD
BEST NOCTURNAL SCENE
Late Night by Soonja Cook of Durham, NC
Oil | $350
BEST WATER SCENE
Mary’s Pond by Ann M Lawtey of Chapel Hill, NC
Oil | $750
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Untitled by Kyle Camu of Raleigh, NC
Oil | SOLD
Fall Meadow by Jacqueline Rimmler of Cedar Grove, NC
Acrylic | SOLD
YOUTH COMPETITION RESULTS
FIRST PLACE – High School
The Speedway by Caleb Capers (Orange High School)
Acrylic | SOLD
“This painting caught my eye right away. The compositional choice and perspective choice is great – a view looking down on a rusty old car in the woods. It has a wonderful dark light pattern and is very well painted with broken brushwork and shapes of color. Congratulations on a job well done.”
SECOND PLACE – High School
Schoolhouse by Clover Ferrell (Eno River Academy)
Acrylic | $175
“This is a well designed and well executed painting. The arrangement of elements is interesting. The colors are harmonious and the lights and darks are clear. It’s simply a joy to look at.”
THIRD PLACE – High School
Sunday Morning by Jack Wendelbo (Eno River Academy)
Oil | $50
“I found this painting so intriguing. It’s so very expressive. It’s the kind of painting I could look at for a long time because it has so much going on. The manipulation of paint is so unexpected and interesting. Congratulations.”
FIRST PLACE – Middle School
Pond at Blackwood Farm by Nora Algarra (AL Stanback Middle School)
Acrylic | $150
“This is a very painterly painting. The movement of paint around the canvas is beautiful. It is very successful in its composition and control of lights and darks. Congratulations. Keep up the good work.”
SECOND PLACE – Middle School
Sarah’s Pasture by Hadley Barker (Gravelly Hill Middle School)
Acrylic | SOLD
“This is very well painted and has a beautiful composition. I love the patterns of brushwork in the trees and the grass which are repeated in the sky. It has a wonderful rhythm. Great job.”
THIRD PLACE – Middle School
Kayaking at Eastwood Lake by Anna Brincefield (Phillips Middle School)
Acrylic | $25
“Caught my eye for the strength of design. The placement of the kayak is bold. The dark body of water and the beautiful reddish sky which connects to the kayak really drew me in.”
2024 SPONSOR’S CHOICE AWARDS
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 Pretty Please with a Cherry on Top by Beth Barger of Apex, NC
Oil | SOLD
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The Speedway by Caleb Capers (Orange High School) Acrylic | SOLD |
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Creek View (after a flood) by Alegría Rojas-Patino (McDougle Middle School)
Acrylic | SOLD
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Fall Meadow by Jacqueline Rimmler of Cedar Grove, NC
Acrylic | SOLD
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Bluestem Vista by Sue Marchman of Chapel Hill, NC Pastel | SOLD |
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Mary’s Pond by Ann M Lawtey of Chapel Hill, NC Oil | $750 |
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The Pink Path at Woodcrest Farms by Mary Jo Gunning of Mooresville, NC
Oil | SOLD
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Chocolate Shop by Maria LeFrancois of Raleigh, NC
Oil | $300
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Bluestem Vista by Sue Marchman of Chapel Hill, NC
Pastel | SOLD
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Pretty Please with a Cherry on Top by Beth Barger of Apex, NC Oil | $625 |
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Russell’s Pottery, LLC Twilight by Maria Tsugay (High School, Independent) Acrylic | SOLD |
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Caterri & Jeffery Woodrum Across the Pond by Jacqueline Rimmler of Cedar Grove, NC
Acrylic | SOLD
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A People’s Choice Winner will be selected by attendees of the painting sale and exhibit through the end of November.
The exhibit of paintings will be displayed and for sale through the end of November at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery, open Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5pm.
