Lynn Lewis
Lynn Lewis recently retired from teaching elementary public school art for 34 years and began painting en plein air full time.
In 2025, she was honored to be a juried artist in Plein Air Easton and in Paint Grand Traverse.
Her paintings have earned numerous awards including first place in Suffolk Plein Air and second place in Adirondack Plein Air Festival.
Plein Air Magazine selected one of her pieces, “Purple House”. as “Best Plein Air Acrylic” in their nationwide November Salon 2023 competition. In November 2024 they selected “Bridge” as “Best Plein Air Acrylic” . Her painting “Last Ties” was selected as “Best Vehicle” for the November 2025 Salon competition.
Biography
Lynn Lewis has painted en plein air since she was a teen, learning alongside her father on family vacations. She majored in art at Carleton College in Northfield Minnesota and studied art for a semester with the Cleveland Institute of Art in Lacoste, France. Her most influential teachers have been Bernie Dellario and Walt Bartman. She primarily paints with acrylic and has developed an energetic, shape oriented style to quickly catch images before mood and lighting shifts. Recently she retired from teaching elementary public school art for 34 years and began painting en plein air full time.
Plein Air Magazine selected one of her pieces, “Purple House”, as “Best Plein Air Acrylic” in their nationwide November Salon 2023 competition. In November 2024 they selected “Bridge” as “Best Plein Air Acrylic” and “House Hunting” for an honorable mention for the “Animals and Birds” category. Her painting “Last Ties” was selected as “Best Vehicle” for the November 2025 Salon competition and “Passing Past” earned an honorable mention for “Best Plein Air Acrylic”.
In 2024 she won first place in River Towns Plein Air, juried competition, Marietta, PA, April 2024. For the juried competition, Paint Annapolis (MD), June 2024, she received second place in the nocturne division and third place in the marina event. For the juried competition, Paint Dexter (MI), July 2024 she received the Essence of Dexter Award and placed second in the quick draw. She placed first in the quick draw in both Harford County Plein Air 2024 (MD) and Plein Air Chambersburg 2024 (PA). Her work for Tidelands Plein Air 2024 (VA) earned her the Artist’s Choice Award.
In 2025, Lynn won first place in Great Falls Plein Air (VA) and Suffolk Plein Air (VA). She won first place in the nocturne category for Adirondack Plein Air Festival (NY) and second place overall. Other prizes this year included third place overall in Paint Annapolis (MD), in River Towns Plein Air (PA), and in Adkins Plein AIr (MD). She was extremely honored to be juried into and participate in Plein Air Easton 2025 (MD) and Paint Grand Traverse 2025 (MI).
She is enjoying her position this year as Co-Plein Air Chair for the Montgomery Art Association (MD).
Artist Statement
Plein air painting energizes me. I love searching for unusual places and viewpoints; experimenting with color to catch fleeting moments of light and shadow; adding figures if they happen into the composition; and developing patterns from details to help lead the viewer through my painting. If I immerse myself in a scene, magic sometimes happens. Painting outdoors in all seasons is a process of discovery and a never-ending challenge and delight.
One of the highlights of my painting career was participating in Plein Air Easton in July 2025.