Cupertino Artist Paints 'En Plein Air'

Cupertino artist Tonya Zenin is one of 39 renowned fine artists from around the country who have been invited to participate in this year's Los Gatos Plein Air fine art exhibit and sale, sponsored by the Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club.

Zenin and her fellow artistes could be seen this week around West Valley  wineries and parks painting al fresco, or as the French say en plein air.

With their easels, brushes and palettes on hand they began creating on canvas original pieces June 18 and finishing Friday, June 21. Many of them will win coveted awards for their work.

Started in 2009, this is the show's fifth year. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend today's exhibit and silent auction 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Los Gatos Town Plaza. Admission to the public is free.

A percentage of the proceeds goes to the club's Charitable Foundation, according to event co-chairwoman Carol Waitte.

The event has joined the increasingly popular circuit of plein air art shows in the nation, including the famous Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational and others presented in Sonoma, Telluride and Easton, MD.

Organizers' goal is to make the event a destination show for the Bay Area.

The artist's works of arts was be sold at a VIP reception and silent auction Friday evening at "The Gables," the estate of Barbara and Mark Beck in Los Gatos.

The event is possible thanks to the generosity of sponsors like the Stevens Creek BMW dealer and others listed here.