Ann McMillan
Main

Paintings

Biography

Events

Contact

Galleries



Join my email list

Visit my blog









 

 

 
 

Artist's statement

Central Coast artist Ann McMillan began oil painting in 1997 after studying drawing, science illustration and watercolor painting since childhood. After graduating from University of California, Santa Cruz as a biologist in 1997, Ann discovered her love for en plein air painting while working as a field researcher in the Sierra Nevada.

Ann studies the interaction of light and color in the tradition of California Impressionism. Her recent work emphasizes the intensity and subtlety of sun and shadow. Training with Jove Wang and Barry Raybould has taught her to organize her painting around solid design and carefully mixed color. Ann always looks for strong and unusual compostions and color combinations. She tries to create art that reflects the vibrancy of nature and her love of close observation of the landscape.

She most enjoys painting the Central Coast, the Sierra Nevada, Big Sur and the San Francisco Bay estuaries. Her work is exhibited at the William Lester Gallery.

Gallery Representation
 

William Lester Gallery, Point Reyes Station, California, June 2003-present.

Awards

"Artists to Watch," Southwest Art Magazine, August 2006 issue.

Best of Show, Jewel by the Bay Alameda Plein Air paintout, July 2006.

Honorable Mention, Central Coast Fine Art Competition, Morro Bay Art Association, July 2006.

Honorable Mention, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Members' Show, 2006.

The Mr. and Mrs Bob Suggs Award, Pastel Society of the West Coast, 2006.

Third Place, Central Coast Fine Art Juried Competition, 2005.

First Place, Estes Park Plein Air Quick Draw, August, 2005.

Honorable Mention, Society of Western Artists 55th Annual Exhibit, 2005.

Emerging Artist Award from Art and Antiques Magazine, Carmel Art Festival Paintout, May, 2003.

Dakota Fine Brushes Painting Award, Central Coast Fine Art Juried Competition, 2004.

The Plein Air Scene featured artist, January/February 2004 issue.

Exhibitions

Peninsula Plein Air, 2006, Filoli Gardens, Woodside, California.

Annual Exhibit, 2006, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Auburn, California.

The Best of Plein Air, 2006, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Laguna Beach, California.

Annual Exhibit 2005, Society of Western Artists.

Salon International 2005. Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, Texas.

Northern California views: California Painting in the Plein Air Tradition. Napa Valley Museum, 2005.

Central Coast Fine Art Juried Competition, 2004, 2005, and 2006, Morro Bay Art Association.

Competitions and Paint-outs

Sonoma Plein Air 2005 and 2006, Sonoma, California.

Scene on the Strait, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Martinez Regional Shoreline, Martinez, California.

Estes Park Plein Air Paintout, 2005, Estes Park , Colorado.

Carmel Art Festival, 2002-2005. Carmel, California.

Point Reyes Plein Air Paintout, William Lester Gallery, June 2003-2006.

San Luis Obispo Plein Air Painting Festival, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

Memberships

Member, Pastel Society of the West Coast.

Mentor Member, California Art Club

Signature Member, Pastel Society of America

Member, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.

Member, Los Gatos Art Association.

Education

Workshops and classes with Jove Wang, Barry Raybould, Camille Przewodek, Roberta Remy, Mel Adamson.

BA in biology and environmental studies with a specialty in Science illustration. University of California at Santa Cruz, 1997.

ann@amgallery.net | 650-438-2752