As the competition judge for the 20th Plein Air Easton, Nancy Tankersley holds the pivotal responsibility of selecting award winners from the 2024 competition. With over 30 awards distributed across various events—such as the main competition, Small Painting Sunday, Quick Draw, and Next Generation—Nancy’s discerning eye will play a crucial role. On Sunday, July 21 at 2 pm, she will share her insights during the Judge’s Talk, explaining her choices.

As a leader and catalyst in the modern plein air movement, Plein Air Easton owes much of its influence to the intense competition among top painters in Easton. Nancy, an Easton native and founder of the event, brings a rich artistic background. Her career began as a portraitist, but she later ventured into figurative paintings depicting people at work and leisure. Her artistic exploration extends across landscapes, figures, and still life, always infused with an impressionistic touch.

In her pursuit of the unpredictable, Nancy incorporates non-traditional tools, supports, and technologies into her paintings. Her commitment to this style remains unwavering. Beyond Plein Air Easton, she travels globally, participating in competitions, judging, and teaching. Notably, she was invited to instruct and demonstrate at the Plein Air Convention in Santa Fe from 2018 to 2020. Additionally, her work graced the prestigious Masters Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in NYC in 2016 and 2017.

Nancy’s accolades include the Best of Show at the Parrsboro, Nova Scotia International Plein Air (2018), the Lighthouse Plein Air Festival (2017), and the Dickinson Award for Best Painting by a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society (2016 Annual Juried Exhibit). She was also the featured artist at the 49th Waterfowl Festival in 2019.

As a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society, the American Society for Marine Art, and the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters, Nancy’s impact reverberates far beyond Easton. Her memberships in the Washington Society for Landscape Painters and the Salmagundi Club further attest to her prominence. Additionally, she directs the Easton Studio—an artist’s workshop facility established in 2010—where she mentors, teaches workshops, and sponsors nationally known painters.

As we look toward celebrating our 20th anniversary with Nancy this July, we wish to extend our deepest gratitude. In no small way, her discerning eye, unwavering commitment to impressionistic art, and global influence have shaped this event into what it is today and her dedication to mentoring, teaching, and fostering artistic growth resonates far beyond Easton. Nancy's responsibilities at Plein Air Easton include judging the main competition, Small Painting Sunday, Quick Draw, Next Generation Paint-out and the newly added Alumni Paint-out at Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.

From all of us at Plein Air Easton, thank you Nancy, for being an integral part of our creative journey and inspiring artists worldwide!