Erin in Labyrinth-Stillwater Canyon on the Green River, Utah

Erin C. O'Connor is named among Today's Masters in the much-heralded reissue of Plein Air Magazine (Spring 2011). This article, which discusses her penchant for living lightly and painting boldly, is available exclusively in the expanded digital format of the publication.

Artist Erin C. O'Connor finds the inspiration for her paintings directly at the source. Her passion for working en plein air has produced works from the Rocky Mountains, the great American deserts, numerous whitewater river trips, the Hawaiian Islands, and the California coast and wine country.

"There's a raw strength to paintings done on location," O'Connor states. "By being there first hand, I'm able to pass along the experience with excitement and honesty. A successful painting has an energy that speaks well beyond itself."

Across the range of subject matter is O'Connor's highly recognizable style. With an eye for color and line, her graphic compositions are reminiscent of those who depicted the West a century before: E. Martin Hennings, William Wendt, Maynard Dixon. Bridging the contemporary and traditional, O'Connor's work is distinctive.

Her strong following includes collectors and exhibits throughout the U.S.

Recent highlights include:

• Grand Canyon Association's Plein Air On The Rim, 2010
• Artist-in-Residence, Joshua Tree National Park; 2009
• San Luis Obispo Plein Air; San Luis Obispo, CA; 2008
• Intermountain Society Of Artists, Invited Guest Speaker; Salt Lake City, UT; 2008
• Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters National Events
    Crested Butte, CO; 2010
    Winter Park, CO; 2006, 07, 08
    Estes Park, CO; 2004, 05
    Jackson Hole, WY; 2006
    Tucson, AZ; 2005
• Sonoma Plein Air Event; Sonoma, CA; 2004, 05, 07
• Out The Box Exhibit, National Museum of Wildlife Art; Jackson, WY; 2007
• Grand Teton Natural History Association Artist; GTNP, WY; 2006
• Sonora Desert Museum Plein Air; Tucson, AZ; 2005
• Carmel Plein Air Event; Carmel, CA; 2004
• Guest Artist, Maynard Dixon Country Paint Out; Historic Dixon Studio, Mt. Carmel, UT; 2004

Her 2011 schedule brings her to the RMPAP National Event in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and the Crested Butte Invitational Plein Air.  

O'Connor will also participate in the Out Of The Box Exhibit at the National Museum Of Wildlife Art, and in September will be the Grand Teton Association's featured artist.

O'Connor has studied with some of the West's most prominent artists through the Scottsdale Artists School and the Fechin Institute.

A member of the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters, she makes her home at the base of Teton Pass in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.