Catalina'sPlein Air Legacy

Artists

The painters keeping the tradition alive

For more than a century, artists have set up their easels along Catalina's shoreline to capture its light, water and hillsides in a single sitting. These works celebrate that living tradition.

Artist Kymberlee Stanley in her studio, holding a brush beside a painting of the Catalina Casino

Founder & Lead Artist

Kymberlee Stanley

A painter drawn to Catalina's harbors, hillsides and everyday island moments, Kymberlee is leading the effort to revive the island's plein air legacy and build a festival rooted in community.

Her work moves between intimate harborside figure studies and sweeping views of Avalon, always chasing the particular light that has attracted painters to the island for generations.

Selected works

A sampling of the plein air paintings that capture Catalina's enduring appeal, from the Casino tower to the boats moored in Avalon Bay.

Casino View, oil on canvas

Casino View

Oil on canvas

The Casino tower glimpsed through island foliage at golden hour.

Moored in Avalon, oil on canvas

Moored in Avalon

Oil on canvas

A classic cabin cruiser reflected in the harbor's turquoise water.

Joe's Rent-A-Boat, oil on canvas

Joe's Rent-A-Boat

Oil on canvas

A dockside figure study looking out over Avalon's waterfront.

Afternoon by the Harbor, oil on canvas

Afternoon by the Harbor

Oil on canvas

Warm light, a striped towel, and the quiet rhythm of the marina.

Red Umbrella, oil on canvas

Red Umbrella

Oil on canvas

A study of shade and shoreline near the Casino promenade.

Avalon Hillside, oil on canvas

Avalon Hillside

Oil on canvas

The town cascading down to the bay, seen from the eucalyptus groves.

Are you a plein air painter?

Artist membership connects you with opportunity announcements, educational workshops, a directory profile and eligibility for member exhibitions. It is separate from festival application and acceptance.