Aimee Erickson (USA)
We are thrilled to announce Aimee Erickson as the featured artist for the 2027 festival!
Known for an engaging style and versatility in subject matter, AIMEE ERICKSON is an internationally renowned oil painter and instructor who has given lectures and demonstrations at venues nationwide and abroad. Her first book, Plein Air Techniques for Artists, was released by Quarto in 2023.
Erickson maintains interest in a range of subject matter and is known for her still lifes, portrait/figure work, and landscape paintings. A standout at plein air painting competitions, she has won both Best of Show and Artists’ Choice at Plein Air Easton, as well as Best of Show at Carmel, Sonoma, Olmsted, Laguna, and Pacific Northwest Plein Air art festivals.
She has exhibited with international plein-air groups in China and Russia, is an inaugural member of Charlie Hunter’s En Train Air expedition, and painted the official portrait of governor of Oregon Barbara Roberts.
Erickson’s professional affiliations include Plein Air Painters of America, Oil Painters of America, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, American Impressionist Society, and the California Art Club; her work has been featured in Southwest Art Magazine, American Art Collector, and PleinAir Magazine, and on OutdoorPainter.com.
Erickson has a BFA in Visual Communication Design with an Illustration emphasis. She lives in Portland, Oregon, and carries a sketchbook. To see more of Erickson’s work, visit aimeeerickson.com, @1aim on Instagram, and Aimee Erickson Artist on Facebook.
We can’t wait to see how she’s inspired by our unique Australian landscape.
Workshop Weekend
Pre-Festival Paint Out
Warwick Fuller Returns!
We are pleased to announce that Warwick will return to Capital Plein Air in 2027!
Warwick Fuller has a career spanning more than 40 years and over 60 solo exhibitions in Australia and London. He has served as an Official Tour Artist accompanying His Majesty King Charles III and is widely respected for capturing light, atmosphere and mood in the landscape. Warwick's guidance, demonstrations and generosity of knowledge are a cornerstone of CaPA's growing plein air community.
warwickfuller.com
Workshop Artists
Explaining this is a bit of background on the artists and their brief history so you can get to know them and see if you are interested in attending
Andy Dolphin
2 Day Watercolour Intensive - 24th and 25th April Strathnairn Arts
Prize-winning Western Australian artist Andy Dolphin brings more than two decades of fine-art experience. Working in watercolour, oils and outdoor sketching, he is particularly drawn to rural landscapes, forests and seascapes shaped by dramatic light. His achievements include the Grand Prize at the 2023 WA Society of Arts Annual Awards, multiple Plein Air Down Under awards and two awards at Capital Plein Air.
andydolphin.com.au
Chan Dissanayake
1 Day Acrylic Workshop - 26th April Manuka and Telopea Park
Canberra-based Chan Dissanayake is a multi-award-winning, multi-medium artist best known for his watercolours and representation of Australia through international watercolour delegations. With 20 years' experience in painting, teaching and leading international art tours, Chan has recently expanded his teaching practice into acrylics. He is widely respected as a generous and accomplished tutor with a deep passion for outdoor painting.
chandissan.com
Sally Black
1 Day Urban Sketching Workshop - 26th April Manuka and Telopea Park
Canberra artist and qualified teacher Sally Black creates works on paper through drawing, watercolour and printmaking. Her work is held in the ACT Public Art Collection, and she has completed numerous exhibitions, commissions and collaborations. Her recent projects include illustrating 22 local bookshops for the hand-drawn Canberra Bookshop Trail.
sallyblack.com
Natasha Ruschka
1 Day Gouache Workshop - 27th April Uriarra Crossing
Award-winning Canberra artist Natasha Ruschka paints landscapes and still life in oils and gouache, with a strong focus on colour, composition and expressive brushwork. Her recognition includes the Peel Region Award at Plein Air Down Under, selection for Lethbridge Gallery's Artists to Watch, the Plein Air Salon USA Top 100 and the Lethbridge Landscape Awards. Natasha teaches plein air workshops and painting tours across Australia and internationally.
natasharuschka.com
Rick Crossland
1 Day Oil Workshop - 29th April Cotter Reserve
Winner of both the prestigious 2022 A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship and A.M.E. Bale Oil/Acrylic Art Prize, Tasmanian artist Rick Crossland is known for painting directly from life and capturing the light, atmosphere and character of landscapes, figures and everyday subjects. Rick also received a Highly Commended award for his oil painting at the Inaugural Capital Plein Air Festival in 2025.
rickcrosslandart.com
Inquiries to Teach Workshops
At this time, our teaching schedule for the upcoming festival is fully booked. We’ve deliberately chosen to limit the number of workshops offered to ensure they compliment the broader goals of the event. While workshops are a valuable component, the true heart of the festival lies in creating a space where artists can come together to paint, connect with like-minded creatives, and compete alongside some of Australia’s finest outdoor painters for awards.
We encourage skilled and high-profile artists from across the country to travel and participate in the festival, as it provides an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the camaraderie and creative spirit of the plein air community. Your involvement not only enriches the experience for everyone but also showcases your talents in a vibrant and supportive environment.
Please note that our lineup of workshop instructors is selected from participating artists of the previous year, as we aim to support and highlight those who actively contribute to the success and growth of the event. By participating, you may also have the opportunity to be considered as an instructor in future festivals.