Plein air painter Scott Burdick has traveled to Africa and around the world, capturing the spirit of the lands he visits.

WEST MAUI — The 2011 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational (MPAPI) will host some of the nation’s top plein air painters on Feb. 19-26.

This year’s impressive lineup will draw many local and visiting artists, art collectors and enthusiasts. With 25 artists from Hawaii and the Mainland joining the event this year, there will be a wide variety of talent to observe and learn from.

Bryan Mark Taylor from the San Francisco Bay area is one of the many renowned plein air painters coming to the 2011 event.

He has participated in numerous plein air events around the country. His work was chosen for “Best in Show” in both the 2009 Laguna Plein Air Invitational and 2009 Los Gatos Plein Air Festival. His work won the “Collectors’ Choice” in the 2010 Laguna event.

Featured in the March/April 2009 issue of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine as one of “Today’s Masters,” the MPAPI will be his first visit to Maui.

Taylor

Scott Burdick is another acclaimed artist who will participate this year. He was featured in The Artist Magazine in 2006 as one of “Today’s Best Young Artists.”

Burdick received awards at the Laguna Plein Air Invitational, Western Rendezvous of Art and International Artist Magazine’s “Painting People” Competition.

Burdick and his wife, Susan Lyon, have traveled the world, capturing the spirit of the lands they visit by painting the local figures and communities, as well as embracing the cultures of Peru, India, Mexico, France and Africa through the art they create.

The week-long event offers several opportunities to observe and interact with acclaimed plein air painters.

The invitational will commence with the Kickoff Paint Out on Feb. 19 at two of Maui’s most stunning locations: D.T. Fleming Beach and Kapalua Bay.

On Feb. 22, guest lecturer Jean Stern, executive director of The Irvine Museum in California, will present “Early Painters of Hawaii” at the Pioneer Inn in Lahaina.

Other featured events during the week include the Pacific’O Sunset Paint Out, Pioneer Inn Lahaina Harbor Quick Draw, Gala Reception and workshops with celebrated plein air painters Billyo O’Donnall and Jennifer McChristian.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact event Coordinator Cari Tilley at (808) 214-4492 or visit www.mauipleinairpainting.com.

The 2011 event is coordinated by Islanders-Hawaii Plein Air Painters, West Maui Cultural Council and The Village Gallery.

Event sponsors include the county Office of Economic Development; Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine; Kaanapali Land Management Corp.; JMD Beverages; Maui Printing Company; The Irvine Museum; The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua; Pioneer Inn; Pacific’O Restaurant; Maui Land & Pineapple Co.; Maui Prime Fine Foods; The Ritz-Carlton Club & Residences, Kapalua Bay; Mala Ocean Tavern; Tropic Water; MauiGrown Coffee Company; and Village Café and Sweet Shoppe.