The Hoosier Salon is proud to announce the jurors for this year’s annual exhibition: oil painter, Dave A. Santillanes and water colorist, Andy Evansen.

 

Dave A. Santillanes

A self taught artist, Dave Santillanes began painting shortly after graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in Graphic Design. He points to his first plein air painting excursion as the true beginning of his development as a painter where direct observation allowed for a more precise rendering of color, light, and atmosphere. And although studying the physical aspects of nature is important, it isn’t the only reason Dave paints outdoors. He says, “the sensory experience of being there is equally important. There’s no better way to get to really know a place than to sit for a couple of hours and contemplate it while painting. This intense observation brings a spiritual intimacy with the scene that can’t be achieved in mere passing and allows me to ‘speak’ with complete sincerity in each painting.”

Dave’s passion for painting
has led to a number of recent awards including the Landscape Award of Excellence at the 25th National Oil Painters of America National in 2016, a show that netted hum the Bronze in 2010. And his work was honored with the Award of Distinction at the American Impressionist Society National Show in 2014. His plein air work has also gained him notoriety winning numerous awards at plein air events across the country. Both Plein Air Magazine and Southwest Art Magazine have run features on his work. You can also view his work at Dasanti.com.

Andy Evansen

Andy began painting watercolors as a change from the detailed digital images he created as a medical illustrator.  His work gained recognition after winning an international watercolor competition through American Artist magazine, appearing on their cover in 2005.  He’s been featured in numerous other publications since, and has become a sought-after workshop instructor who paints and teaches internationally.  Evansen served as President of the Minnesota Watercolor Society from 2004-2006, and after being elected a signature member of the prestigious Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA) in 2012 is now serving as their President.

His paintings have won numerous awards, including the Bronze Medal of Honor at the 2012 American Watercolor Society Exhibition and the Painters Award in Northwest Watercolor Society’s 2012 Waterworks Exhibition, and in 2015 he received the High Winds Medal and his signature status from the American Watercolor Society.

He was a featured presenter at the 2014 and 2016 Plein Air Convention and Expo.  In November of 2015 he traveled to China with Joseph Zbukvic, Alvaro Castagnet, John Salminen, Konstantin Sterkhov and Stanislaw Zoladz for the 3^rd International Watercolor Masters Exhibition.

Andy recently opened his own studio gallery, Evansen Art Studio, in Hastings, MN. You can also view his work at EvansenArtStudio.com.