Quick Paint
CALLING ALL ARTISTS! QUICK DRAW & PAINT OUT
MAY 18, 2025
The Quick Paint competition is a 3-hour "en plein air" (open air) painting competition in the downtown historic district and waterfront of New Bern, NC... RAIN OR SHINE.
The works will be displayed, judged, and for sale at the New Bern Farmers Market parking lot 421 S Front Street—between 11:30 am—1 pm
Prizes for the Open and Youth categories: Cash and Ribbon Awards
The winner of the open category of the Quick Draw & Paint Out 2025 wins an invitation to participate as a featured artist in Plein Air New Bern 2026.
Our esteemed judge is Judith Cutler.
Judith Cutler is a visual artist known for her expressive work in soft pastels, acrylics, and mixed media. Her art explores both abstract and representational themes, often blurring the boundaries between the two.
Originally from western Pennsylvania, Judith now lives in eastern North Carolina. She holds a degree in Graphic Arts from Penn State University and spent 25 years as a designer for major companies including IBM, Holiday Inn Corporation, and Oakland University in Michigan. Early in her artistic journey, she studied under the influential painter Elaine de Kooning, whose teaching helped shape her intuitive and gestural approach. The influence of nature is a consistent presence in her thoughts and artworks. 
Judith is a Signature Member (2003) and a Master Pastelist (2007) of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), New York City; a Master Circle Member (2009) of the International Association of Pastel Societies, and a Member of Excellence with the Southeastern Pastel Society, Atlanta. She is also a member of the Piedmont Pastel Society, Charlotte, and the Pastel Society of North Carolina, Raleigh. Her paintings have received numerous honors in regional and national exhibitions, including multiple awards in The Pastel Journal’s Pastel 100 competition and repeated awards into the PSA’s Annual International Juried Exhibition.
Her work has been exhibited in the Southeast and beyond. She was awarded a Regional Artist Project Grant by the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, NC, and participated in the Windows Project at Charlotte’s Hearst Tower, curated by the McColl Center for Visual Art.
Judith is currently represented by Carolina Creations in New Bern, NC, and the Ellen Moore Gallery in Cape Charles, VA, Her artwork is also featured in Abstract Painting: A Celebration of Contemporary Art and A Brief History of Artists in Eastern North Carolina.
At the heart of Judith’s paintings is a love of color, gestural lines, and experimentation.
Through her work, she invites viewers to connect with the emotion, movement, and the quiet presence of the natural world.
Artist’s Statement: Follow your own path. Be happy.
judithcutlerart.com
Online Pre-registration will open March 15, 2025: $15.00 Open Adult (18+)
NO FEE - Youth Category (ages 10-17)
Agenda: 7:30 am—Walk-up registration/Check-in & Stamping 421 S Front St New Bern
8:00 am—Open and Youth participants start
9:00 am—Featured Artists start
11:00 am—Painting ends, proceed to Farmers Market for display & judging
11:30 am—Deadline for placing easel for display at Farmers Market Parking Lot
12 Noon —Awards announced, sales begin
12 Noon - 1:00 pm—Paintings displayed on easels for public viewing and sales
1:30 pm—All unsold artwork to be removed from the display space
Eligibility and Rules: All painting and drawing mediums, no photography. Framing is optional (recommended for Open Adult categories), easel or free-standing display method is required for judging. Each entry must be labeled with your registration number and price (or NFS for not for sale)
Sales: All sales will be completed by Plein Air New Bern Staff—40% commission with revenues supporting Plein Air New Bern. Following the award announcements, one additional piece painted during the event week may be displayed at your easel for sale along with your Quick Paint entry.
All fields in the form are required,
2025 Quick Paint Registration
May 18, 2025
Please submit separate form for each participant.
After you submit this form you will receive an email with a payment link to complete your registration.
Online Pre-registration will open March 15, 2025
$15.00 Open Adult (18+)
FREE Youth Category (ages 10-17)
Agenda: 7:30 am—Walk-up registration/Check-in & Stamping 421 S Front St New Bern
8:00 am—Open and Youth participants start
9:00 am—Featured Artists start
11:00 am—Painting ends, proceed to Farmers Market for display & judging
11:30 am—Deadline for placing easel for display at Farmers Market Parking Lot
12 Noon —Awards announced, sales begin
12 Noon - 1:00 pm—Paintings displayed on easels for public viewing and sales
1:30 pm—All unsold artwork to be removed from the display space
Eligibility and Rules: All painting and drawing mediums, no photography. Framing is optional (recommended for Open Adult categories), easel or free-standing display method is required for judging. Each entry must be labeled with your registration number and price (or NFS for not for sale)
Adult Open and Featured Artists' Sales:
All sales will be completed by Plein Air New Bern Staff—40% commission with revenues supporting Plein Air New Bern. Following the award announcements, one additional piece painted during the event week may be displayed at your easel for sale along with your Quick Paint entry.
All fields in the form are required for payment.
For PayPal payment, the email in the form should match your Paypal payment. If you would like to use a different account, please email us at ncpleinair@gmail.com and request an invoice to be sent to you with your PayPal email address.
Welcome and good luck!!! Happy painting.
