Michele Usibelli - Keynote Speaker
The granddaughter of Italian and French immigrants, Michele Usibelli was born to create. After earning her degree in Architecture from the University of Washington, she combined a demanding professional life with her love of travel. Her extensive journeys and rich life experiences provide the solid platform from which her vibrant artwork is created.
Usibelli's early training established a strong foundation in the Russian Impressionist tradition of seeing and painting shapes of light and color using relatively loose, confident brushstrokes. She has studied extensively and been deeply influenced by historic masters, most notably Nicholai Fechin, John Singer Sargent, and William Merritt Chase. These classical influences have allowed her to establish her own unique artistic voice and define her as a truly versatile modern impressionist.
While drawn to many genres—including still life, landscape, cityscape, and figurative work—her individual style, rich impasto, and technical paint application create a constant, harmonious theme throughout her extensive body of work. Working primarily in oils, but equally accomplished in acrylics, gouache, and watercolor, she strives for an unmistakable consistency. Collectors frequently note they "can spot her work from across the room." Establishing an authentic artistic voice remains her primary focus; she never paints the same image twice, ensuring every piece is a true, high-caliber original.
Greg Barnes
Greg Barnes got his formal training at Wake Forest University, receiving a BFA in 1985. Under the tutelage of many fine instructors he learned painting, printmaking, sculpture, and figure drawing. Following college, Greg entered a career path that included technical illustration,
computer graphics, computer-based training, and multimedia programming.
Throughout those years, Greg always kept his brushes and charcoal close at hand. After 911, he and his wife Janet decided to take a leap of faith, pursuing a fine art career full time. Greg quickly found portrait work, due to his ability to capture a remarkable likeness. His versatility shines with abilities in charcoal, pastel, and oil.
Landscapes are Greg’s love. He enjoys painting on location, and as a result of working quickly, leans towards impressionism. A mix of realistic and impressionistic elements give his pieces a life of their own, while a free a creative use of color punctuates his style.
Maintaining a studio where he teaches and paints in Charlotte, NC, Greg also travels the country exhibiting at outdoor art festivals and teaching plein air workshops. He is currently represented by Coconut Grove Gallery, Miami FL and Karis Gallery in Hilton Head, SC.
Michelle Held With over three decades of experience as a professional artist, Michelle brings a deep reverence for nature and storytelling to every canvas. Her journey began in historical restoration and fine decorative finishes, where she cultivated an appreciation for craftsmanship and detail. Over the past ten years, I’ve traveled the plein air circuit, capturing fleeting light and the living pulse of the landscape in both paint and heart. As a wildlife and plein air artist, her work is driven by a connection to place, whether in the hope of a misty morning sunrise or the golden hush before dusk. Michelle is an award winning artist and so passionate about teaching and hosting workshops throughout the U.S., Ireland, italy and now Spectacular Yorkshire England !! Beyond the brush, Michelle is guided by community and connection. Her paintings find their way into homes where collectors become friends, and each piece carries shared moments, conversations, and quiet joy. Through plein air painting, and the deep bonds formed with artists, patrons, volunteers, and collectors, she invites open eyes and open hearts to see the landscape not just as it is….but as it is felt. A bit of poetry vs Journalism.
Timothy Horn Timothy Horn was born and raised in the small town of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and graduated from the Cooper Union School of Art in New York City with a focus in graphic design. After finishing school, he worked at several design firms in New York before moving to San Francisco, where he continued to work as a designer. When he first moved to the Bay Area, he explored with wild abandon the natural beauty of the nearby open spaces and was struck by the intensity of the light and the variety of landscapes in the region. Horn took his first painting class around that time, followed by another a few months later, and within a year he knew he had found his calling. He began painting more and more, and doing less and less graphic design until the fall of 2006 when he closed his design business entirely. He now paints full-time and lives in the small town of Fairfax where he is drawn to the everyday scenes of the rural areas in Marin and Sonoma Counties -- the old buildings that have evaded development, the workings of ranch life, the old cars and trucks that continue on, or sometimes simply the play of light and shadow across planes of weathered color. His work has won numerous awards, has been featured in several magazines, including on the cover of South West Art. Horn regularly participates in plein air events around the country, is represented by five galleries and teaches painting workshops around the country and abroad. He is a signature member of both the Oil Painters of America and the California Art Club.
Laurie Meyer is a professional artist based in Charleston, SC. With over 25 years of oil and water media painting experience, she has also taught many students to become artists in their own right. Laurie has passionately shared her expertise in her private studio and through travel workshops in Italy, Portugal, Mexico, and Croatia. As co-owner of the Meyer Vogl Galleries in Charleston and Daniel Island, Laurie has not only showcased her work but also contributed to the vibrant art community. Recognized for her skill creating light, she has received multiple awards in national and regional competitions for her paintings. A proud member of the Plein Air Painters of the Southeast, Laurie is inspired by the magic of spectral colors and the challenge of creating the illusion of light on subjects, bringing her artistic vision to life. Laurie and her husband Steve reside on a lovely marsh creek with a long dock and abundant nature to inspire.  |
Laurie Meyer
Vicki Norman
Based in Shropshire, England, Vicki Norman received her BA in Fine Art in 2000 working initially as an illustrator and then a full time fine artist represented by established galleries around the UK. A naturally gifted teacher, Vicki began her classes in 2005, gaining her post graduate certificate specialising in post-16 education in 2009 she values teaching as an integral part of her creative practice.
A lifelong student herself, over the last 10 years, she has studied with master painters and sculptors around the globe, all the time searching for traditional skills and methods which can be applied to paintings of a modern world.
Inspired by both contemporary and past masters, Vicki’s paintings employ an historical skill set with a fresh, personal approach.
“My fondness for travelling and painting has naturally led me into the world of Plein Air painting. Working quickly on location to capture the essence of a time and place encourages a looser, more impressionist style of painting. This puts an emphasis on atmosphere rather than detail, and colour is the vehicle through which I seek to capture light.”
Her works have won awards in the UK, Europe and the USA, she is a regular contributor to plein air events and competitions on both sides of the Atlantic. Vicki has exhibited with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in London and been awarded a prize from the Oil Painters of America.
Her growing reputation as a master of colour has led naturally to a role as ambassador for Michael Harding Paints which allows Vicki indulge her love of colour and ‘nerd out’ about pigments, binders and all things technical with one of the world’s most respected Colourmen.
A popular tutor and demonstrator, Vicki is recognised for her clear communication and boundless enthusiasm.
She has won awards and recognition for both teaching and painting. See more about Vicki at her website https://www.vickinormanstudio.com/
Emily Olson
"Emily Olson is a Colorado-based watercolor artist, author, and educator. She launched her full-time art career in 2019 with her YouTube channel, Emily Olson Art, where she shares watercolor tutorials, product reviews, and painting tips with a global community of artists. She is the founder of Watercolor Mastery, an online school with more than 4,000 members, and the author of Paint the National Parks: A Watercolor Journey and 20 Minute Watercolor.
Emily is especially passionate about plein air painting, finding inspiration in the ever-changing beauty of the natural world. Whether painting alpine lakes, desert canyons, or quiet forest trails, she loves capturing the spontaneity and atmosphere that can only be experienced on location.
A lifelong student of watercolor, Emily is always exploring new paints, papers, and techniques. Through her teaching, she encourages artists to paint with curiosity, confidence, and a spirit of adventure while discovering a deeper connection to both art and nature."
Jerrod Partridge
Jerrod is a full-time studio artist, educator, and curator on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He and his wife own Palmette, a flower shop and art gallery in downtown Ocean Springs, MS. Jerrod leads Visual Explorations trips around the world and also organizes Art Space 86 community art events. His work can be seen at Palmette; Fischer Galleries in Jackson, MS; Southside Gallery in Oxford, MS; and Claire Elizabeth Gallery in New Orleans, LA. Jerrod earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from the New York Academy of Art in 2004. Jerrod is a 2011 recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission, was named distinguished Alumnus of the Year for the Mississippi College Department of Art in 2017, received the Jane Crater Hiatt Fellowship from the MS Museum of Art in 2025, and received the Visual Arts award from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters in 2026. His website is www.jerrodpartridge.com and his Instagram page is @jerrodpartridge.
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Jeremy Sams
Jeremy Sams is an award-winning representational artist residing in Archdale, NC. He was born in 1977 and his childhood consisted of spending lots of time in the woods of the Uwharrie Mountains and playing in and along the banks of the Uwharrie River in the southwestern portion of Randolph County, NC. He became interested in art at a very early age, winning his first art competition at the age of 6. At age 15, he took his first art class where he was introduced to painting. His love for painting sparked a new change in his life and the beginning of a career was birthed by commissioned portraits and murals from the local community. Through these small art endeavors and apart from formal training, Jeremy was able to begin a professional art career at the age of 19.
Jeremy’s primary subject matter is landscapes while working in acrylics. He also loves the challenge of portraits and his work varies in size from just a few sq. inches to murals measuring upward of 40’x60′.
His artistic growth took on a new form in 2011 when he was introduced to painting en plein air. This same year, he and his wife mourned the death of two children. Through this trying time, Jeremy found new inspiration and healing through painting outdoors en plein air. “Painting en plein air has become a means of therapy and release of emotion for me…Here, I can enjoy God’s creation and relish in the beauty He has given us to enjoy in this short life.”
Jeremy’s personal inspirations come mostly from the play of light and atmosphere and their effects on objects and landscapes. His most favorite areas of subject matter are the rolling hills and mountains of North Carolina along with its waterways, and special array of trees and meadows. It’s not uncommon to see Jeremy with his outdoor easel set up on the side of the road or on a river bank somewhere with brush in hand.
Jeremy has been a featured artist in “Plein Air Magazine“ and also “Modern Impressionism” magazine.
Jeremy is currently a member of the Plein Air Painters of the Southeast, North Carolina Plein Air Painters, and is also the founder of the Fellowship of Plein Air Painters.
Jeremy is currently represented by Gallery on Park Fine Art in Winterpark, Florida, Stella Maris Gallery in Beaufort NC, The District Gallery in Knoxville, Tennessee, Wells Gallery in Kiawah Island, SC , The Art Shop in Greensboro, NC, Ballard’s Fine Art in Sheridan, WY and the Blue Moon Gallery, Brevard, NC.
Jeremy’s artist statement:
As a representational painter who uses acrylics, my goal is to use the visual vocabulary of painting to capture the beauty of God’s creation. I particularly love the challenge of capturing the moods of light and atmosphere and the composing of the elements in order to tell a story without using words. My aim is to help elevate the souls of the viewers and bring a sense of peace and hope.
Manon Sander
Manon is an award-winning modern impressionist, born and raised in Berlin, Germany, who now resides in Southern Florida, which presents a cornucopia of inspiration for her. The effects of light on a subject and the feeling it evokes are of great importance to Manon as she puts down her impressions in interesting patterns, luminous color, and juicy brush strokes in her own distinct style.
Manon participates in invitational and juried nation-wide plein air events as well as in prestigious juried national shows. Her award-winning works are in galleries and private collections on three continents and have been included in publications such as Modern Impressionist Magazine, American Art Collector, Plein Air Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur. She has been awarded signature status with the American Society of Marine Artists, the National Oil and Acrylics Painters’ Society, the American Impressionist Society, and Laguna Plein Air Painters.
Manon feels strongly about passing on her knowledge in national and international workshops and retreats, online workshops and mentoring. Her work is being represented by Park Avenue Contemporary Art in Winter Park, FL, Lost Art Gallery in St. Augustine, Fl, and Studio 2 Gallery in St. Michaels, MD.
Ultimately, Manon aims to communicate her joie de vivre through paintings that reflect the color, light, and joy Manon feels surrounded by and is ever so grateful for.
www.ManonSander.com
Robert Simone
Robert J. Simone insists that good things happen when you paint. “As a late bloomer, I started taking classes when I was in my 40’s, I just kept my head down and kept painting. I’m still pinching myself over the good things that have come my way.”
Robert was recently invited to participate as Faculty Staff for Plein Air South (PAS) 2027. He is the featured demonstrator for the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) Best of America Small Works Exhibition weekend 2026. He also received the award for Best Use of Light and Color at NOAPS Small Works 2026.
Robert also received the Grand Prize at Plein Air Easton 2024! Other awards include First Prize in the Quickpaint Competition at Olmsted Plein Air Invitational 2024, Best Landscape at National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) Small Works Exhibition 2023 and Best Marine/Seascape at Oil Painters of America (OPA) Eastern Regional 2023. Robert was recently awarded Signature Member in OPA. He is also Signature Member in NOAPS, and the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA).
Robert has 18 years’ experience giving painting instruction through online mentoring, public demonstrations, workshops and weekly classes. As one student put it, “He knows what we need to know. And is willing the share.” (Pat C.)
He is a serious and dedicated instructor, but his workshops are filled with lighthearted fun.
Dawn Whitelaw
Dawn Whitelaw is one of the artists in residence at On Track Studios in Franklin, Tennessee. The opportunity to paint “en plein air” with her artist colleagues adds richness and honesty to her studio work. Most of her formal instruction came from a long-term mentorship with New York painter, Everett Raymond Kinstler.
Ms. Whitelaw is currently on the faculty of the Portrait Society of America, where she holds the office of Vice Chairman. She is a frequent instructor for Plein Air South and the Plein Air Convention. For over 25 years she taught painting as an adjunct instructor at David Lipscomb University. She continues to teach throughout the country by conducting workshops in oil painting principles and drawing. Dawn received 2nd place awards in the Door County Plein Air Festival in both 2014 and 2015. In recent years, she has won awards in The Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, the Piedmont Plein Air Paint Out and in Plein Air Richmond.
In 2012, 2013, and 2015, Plein Air Magazine included her work in feature articles. She was honored by The American Impressionist Society in 2016 when she was elected to Master status. Whitelaw was one of ten American women artists invited to exhibit in “Inspiring Figures” at the Butler Institute of American Art in 2010. She recently had a painting accepted into the permanent collection of the Rahr-West Art Museum.
Facilitated by Franklin's Promise Coalition
pleinairsouth@gmail.com