ARTWORK   |   BIOGRAPHY

WAYNE MCKENZIE'S art emanates a laid back confidence that is a reflection of his Australian upbringing. With loose brushwork and bold use of color, he brings a unique perspective to the contemporary North American art world. Wayne's strong sense of design is derived from the Aboriginal art of his native Australia. His paintings are a visual journey that allows the essence of his subject matter to come to life.

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After establishing a reputation as a talented plein air artist in Colorado by winning multiple awards at the states premier plein air event, Wayne moved his family to the competitive Californian market. His arrival has resulted in a flood of accolades and awards including First Place at the 2013 Napa Valley Art Festival,  Best of Show  at the 2012 Holiday Treasures Salon, 2nd Place at the 2013 Los Gatos Plein Air Festival, 3rd Place at both the 2016 Carmel Plein Air Festival and the 2014 Los Gatos Plein Air Festival, and jurors choice at California Art Club's "Waterscapes" Exhibition. Wayne was chosen as a finalist in both the 2013 and 2014 Plein Air Salon, a national competition presented by Plein Air Magazine. 

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Wayne has appeared in various publications throughout the United States. He was most recently honored as a feature artist in the hardcover book "Best of Artists-Oil-Global edition" by Kennedy Publishing. Renowned art critic Susan Viebrock wrote, "Anyone who doesn't love a Mckenzie, must have a low opinion of joy....big personality- big work" and went on to describe his work as having, "a delightful sense of movement, vibration and exuberance." He currently divides his time between his studios in Lake Tahoe, California and Telluride, Colorado.

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AWARDS

2009  3rd Place, Artists Choice Award, Telluride Plein Air Festival, Telluride, CO.

2010  "Honorable Mention", Carmel Plein Air Festival, Carmel, CA.

2012 1st Place, Holiday Treasures Salon, Debra Huse Gallery, Newport, CA. 

          1st Place, Small Works Exhibition, Art Beat on Main Street, Vista, CA. 

          3rd Place, Artists Choice Award, Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA.

2013 Semi Finalist, Plein Air Salon presented by Plein Air Magazine. 

          1st Place, California Art Clubs "Waterscapes" Exhibition, Altadena, CA. 

          2nd Place, Los Gatos Plein Air Festival, Los Gatos, CA.

          "Peoples Choice", Telluride Plein Air Festival, Telluride, CO. 

          3rd Place, Santa Cruz Art Leagues' 83rd Annual "Incredible Places" Exhibition, CA.                                

          "Artists Choice", Napa Valley Art Festival, CA.

2014 3rd Place, Los Gatos Plein Air Festival, Los Gatos, CA.

          2nd Place, Telluride Plein Air Festival, Telluride, CO.

          Best Plein Air Painting, Plein Air Salon presented by Plein Air Magazine (August/September).

2015 "Honorable Mention", Carmel Plein Air Festival, Carmel, Ca

2016 3rd Place, Carmel Plein Air Festival, Carmel, Ca.

          3rd Place, Los Gatos Plein Air Festival, Los Gatos, Ca.

          2nd Place, Telluride Plein Air Festival, Telluride, Co.

          "Crowd Favorite" Telluride Plein Air Festival, Telluride, Co.

2017 2nd Place, Carmel Plein Air Festival, Carmel, Ca.

          1st Place, "People's Choice", Telluride Plein Air Festival, Telluride, Co.

          2nd Place, "Artists Choice" Telluride Plein Air Festival, Telluride, Co.

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Named November 2017 Editors Choice - Artist To Watch - by Southwest Art Magazine