Ragland wins top spot in plein air contest

FALLBROOK – Jack Ragland won the top award, with "Winery Tower", in the annual Temecula Ralph Love Plein Air Competition held from Halloween to Nov. 6, open to all artists. This is the second time since 2011 that Ragland has won the Mayor’s Purchase Choice Award. The new painting will join the first that now hangs in the Temecula City Hall.

Each day of the competition, artists painted at a different Temecula location including Old Town, South Coast Winery, Harveston Lake, The Rose Haven, and the Duck Pond.

Plein Air means painting outside in the open air. Artists have the opportunity to experience the sun, wind, rain, and occasional insects as well as all the sounds and fragrances surrounding them as they paint, contributing to the flavor of the painting.

All of the plein air paintings are now on display free to the public at The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula.