My name is Gary Blackwell and my students call me Mr. Blackwell. I teach Outdoor Landscape Painting and in a normal semester I take my VA students into the local charming old neighborhoods of Santa Ana and teach onsite Plein Aire Painting using a limited palette. During the pandemic we have modified the class into a Landscape/Portrait Painting class. I've always known I would be a visual artist. Ever since I was five I have had a passion to draw and paint. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. After my required stint in the army where I served as an illustrator, I finally settled in Southern California. I worked in advertising for 23 years as a Creative Director for a large corporation. During this time I never lost my focus on art. I continued painting and taking workshops to stay active. In the 90's I became involved with pastels and joined a number of pastel organizations. I soon became a signature member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast. Within the absolute minimum three years the PSWC honored me with the coveted Distinguished Pastelist award. Today I am a full-time painter enjoying both studio and Plein Air painting. I have been an OCSA instructor for 12 years.
I currently live in Signal Hill CA and have for over 30 years.

Gary Blackwell