Workshop participants included (from left): front row — Pam Neswald and Raleigh Timmins; back row — Pam Peterson, Ellen Friel, Elizabeth Current, Brian Stewart, Linda Ryan, Mary Connelly, Holly Glen, Joanne Hopper and Karen Camara.

WEST MAUI – Brian Stewart, a plein air artist from St. Paul, Minnesota and a 2015 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational (MPAPI) participant, recently offered a three-day plein air painting workshop to ten students.

Some students from the class were provided scholarships by Stewart, because he has a personal interest in helping aspiring art students who cannot afford to attend workshops on their own.

West Maui Cultural Council, a Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational organizer, is very appreciative of his contributions. Stewart has a big heart and feels that teaching others to refine their artistic skills is a rewarding way for a visiting artist to give back to a community.

Ellen Friel from California attended his workshop.

“Brian was a very patient professional and was very concise in his teaching. I really loved working with the simpler palette, and his methods freed up my approach to accomplishing a faster painting,” she said.

Brian Stewart from Saint Paul, Minnesota is a professional painter and art teacher.

Friel added, “It was a pleasure meeting other artists and getting out to paint in some wonderful venues.”

“It was exciting to see each student progress during the three days with Brian’s clear and patient teaching and demonstrations. He obviously enjoys helping others in the craft of painting, and each student felt personal attention and care. Brian was a pleasure to work with,” said Linda Ryan, Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational workshop coordinator.

Stewart is a signature member of the granddaddy of all the plein air groups: the exclusive Plein Air Painters of America. He is also a member of the California Art Club, Oil Painters of America and the American Society of Marine Artists.

A visual raconteur, he is known and collected nationally for his unique vision and the story-telling quality of his paintings.

He received the 2015 MPAPI Pioneer Inn Lahaina Harbor Quick Draw Award for his painting of the Old Lahaina Courthouse.

Event organizers said it was an honor to have someone of his caliber teach a workshop and participate in the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational.