Spotlight on Featured Artists: Michael Obermeyer and Ron Rencher

2017-09-30
Catalina Island Cosnervancy

On October 22, the Catalina Island Conservancy will host the 7th Annual Catalina: The Wild Side Art Show at Balboa Yacht Club. This is the second installment in a series that will introduce each of our 10 featured artists, with a preview of their work for this year's show.

"The show is a unique opportunity for those who love Catalina Island to show their support for the Conservancy's conservation, education and recreation programs, while also supporting the arts and the strong history of plein air painting on Catalina Island," says Victoria Seaver Dean, a Conservancy Board Member and Event Chair for the Catalina: The Wild Side Art Show. "Painting en plein air allows the artist to connect with a moment in nature - and provides the Conservancy with a unique way of documenting and sharing the story of restoration efforts on Catalina Island."

Michael Obermeyer

Michael Obermeyer has received numerous honors throughout a long career in plein air painting, including the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, which is awarded to an artist who has made significant contributions to the tradition of plein air painting through their talent, expertise and teachings. He also won the Collector's Choice Award and the Fine Art Connoisseur Award at the Laguna Beach Invitational Plein Air Competition; Best of Show at the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art and the Kern County Plein Air Festival, and the Gold Medal at the Carmel Art Festival. Many of his paintings are in the U.S. Air Force Historical Art Collection in the Smithsonian Institute and the Pentagon.

A native of southern California, Obermeyer had a 20-year career in illustration, including works for Disney Studios, the Anaheim Angels, McDonnell Douglas, Coldwell Banker and the U.S. Air Force. He serves as the vice president of the prestigious California Art Club and is a signature member of the California Art Club and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.

Ron Rencher

A native of Utah, Ron Rencher spent his early formative years on the family's ranch north of St. George. He credits those early years as being critical to his lifelong love of nature, which led him into landscape painting.

"I desire for my art to convey the beauty of nature to the viewer, to raise that viewer's awareness and appreciation of the natural world, and the spiritual connection that we all have to the world we inhabit," he said. "As a result, I hope to bring realization to the viewers of their own inner beauty, and the fragility of the earth, and how inextricable we are from the nature."

Rencher's most recent accolades include: Golden Thunderbird (Artist's Choice) and Gold Medal for Best Group of Paintings Overall at the 2015 Maynard Dixon Country Invitational at the Bingham Gallery in Mt. Carmel, Utah; PleinAir Magazine Associate Member Award of Excellence at the American Impressionist Society's 17th National Juried Exhibition, and Best Associate Honorable Mention at the Oil Painters of America 25th National Juried Exhibition.

Buy your tickets today! Early Bird rates end today - September 30th! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit catalinaconservancy.org or call 562-437-8555 ext. 1239.