In the late spring of 2015, Irina received notification that she had been ‘juried into’ the prestigious 3^rd Annual Paint the Peninsula, Plein Air Competition. She was one of 27 prominent professional artists to attend this week-long event. The actual competition started September 7^th and ended September 11^th.  On September 12^th, the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center (beneficiary of funds raised from, and a sponsor of, the event) hosted the Salon de Plein Air (Paint the Peninsula Reception and Awards Ceremony). There were several categories of awards this year; many of them for cash prizes:

      • DA Davidson Professional Plein Air Awards (Best of Show and First through Third Place), as well as Honorable Mentions and Special

      Sponsor Awards,
     NOTE:  Irina won the Second Place Award in the 1^st Annual competition.

      • Olympic National Park Awards (Superintendent’s Award and Olympic Interpretation Ranger’s Award),

      • Dungeness Recreation Area/National Wildlife Refuge/New Dungeness Light Station Awards, and

      • Quick Draw Winners (1^st through 3^rd Place).

      NOTE:  Please visit www.pafac.org , then go to PaintThePeninsula to see a photo of Irina at work.

      This competition is for plein air painters to paint the spectacular vistas that abound on the north end of the Olympic Peninsula. These landscape vistas include creeks and streams, docks and sea-side (Straits of Juan de Fuca), lake-side (Crescent Lake), fields and forests, mountains (Hurricane Ridge), rural areas and towns. The vast subject matter for these artists inspired many different and interesting interpretations. All of these painting opportunities were within a short drive from Port Angeles.

      This year, the competition officials determined where the artists would paint each day. They published the locations ahead of the competition so the public could attend and observe. Irina really enjoyed this competition format and liked the public attendance and interest in plein air painting. Irina created many beautiful and different oil paintings during the four days of the competition.

You can see each of her paintings on Irina’s website and blog at www.irinamilton.com . Also, please call (425) 308-8184 for appointments with Irina and to visit her new art studio.