About the Artist
W. Jason Situ was born in 1949 in Guang Dong, China. He began painting in high school during China’s “Cultural Revolution” and completed his art education at the Guangzhou Fine Arts Institute, one of China’s most prestigious and competitive art academies. In 1989 Mr. Situ immigrated to the United States with his family. He was fascinated by the beautiful California landscape and soon decided to become a plein air painter. He has been a full-time artist since 1997 and has shown his work across the United States. He is a prolific, dedicated painter, receiving numerous awards in prestigious juried art competitions, including many "Best of Show" and "First Place"awards. He has been featured in many publications, and strives to keep contributing his best to the beauty of the art world, painting what brings him joy as an artist.
He is a signature member of the California Art Club, and the pass signature member Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters Association, Oil Painters of America, Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters and an honorary member of the Tucson Plein Air Painters Society.
Mr. Situ has won numerous awards for his artwork including the “Best in Show-National Award of Excellence,” Oil painters of America 10th Annual National Juried Show. "Best in Show" in La Quinta Plein Air Juried Competition 2004, in Bucks County Plein Air Festival 2016, Painting The Peninsula 2016. "Best of The Show" in "Studios on the Park Wet Paint Invitational 2016, Paso Robles.( CA)" and " San Dimas 40th Art Exhibition 2016(CA)"; " Irvine Museum Award for Best Landscape, at CAC 106th Annual Gold Medal Show 2017,(CA); .He has also been featured in several fine art publications including Art of the West, Southwest Art and American Artist.
Previous Main Shows:
Sonoma Plein Air Festival 2009, 2021(CA)
San Dimas Traditional Art Festival, Art Exhibition & Show (2015-2018);
Paint the Peninsula,2015-2016,( Port Angeles, WA)
Bucks County Plein Air Festival 2016- 2017(Pennsylvania)
Plein Air Easton 2015 (Maryland)
Easels In Frederick 2015 (Maryland)
Plein Air Los Gatos 2014,( CA)
Crystal Cove Alliance Invitational Art Show(2005-2008);
Arts for The Parks Top 100 Show 2001-2002 (Jackson, WY)
Airlie Art Festival & Plein air painting Invitational 2004 -2005 (Wilmington, NC)
American Miniatures Show 2004 -2010(Settlers West Galleries, AZ)
San Luis Obispo Art Festival 2002-2008(CA)
Rocky Mountain Plein Air 2006,(Steamboat Springs, CO);
Painting The Park, Estes Park Plein Air 2002-2003 (CO)
CAC Gold Medal Show 1998-2022 (Pasadena, CA)
CAC Outdoor Painting Festival and Juried Competition (1998-2003) (Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA)
CAC Spring Salon 2000-2001 (West Hollywood, CA)
Carmel Plein Air Juried Competition and Auction 1998-2006, 2011 (Carmel, CA)
"Small Works Great Wonders Sale" 2008-2014, (National Cowboy & Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK)
"Collectors Reserve"invitation show 2012-2014 (Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK)
Los Gatos Plein Air 2013 (Los Gatos, CA)
Invitational Minuature Show 2004-05 (H/M Gallery, WA)
Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitation Competition 1999-2015, 2018 ( Laguna Beach, CA)
La Quinta Juried Plein Air Competition 2000-2004 ( La Quinta, CA)
"Minuature Masterpiece Art Show & Sale"2005-2021(Phippen Museum, Prescott, AZ)
Maynard Dixon Country Annual Art Show 2004-08 (Mt. Carmel, UT)
National Museum of Wildlife Art Miniature Invitational 2002-2005, (Jackson, WY);
OPA National Juried Show 1998-2006 (Washington D.C., Scottsdale, Carmel, Palm Desert, Chicago*)
On Location in Malibu 1999 and 2003, 2018 (Frederick R. Weisman Museum in Malibu, (CA)
Painting The Park, Estes Park Plein Air 2002-2003 (CO)
Sight of Santa Ana 1998-2004 (Santa Ana, CA)
Tucson Plein Air 2000-2003 (Tucson, AZ)
The Quality and Essence of Light 2000 (Lax, CA)
Wet Paint Charleston 2007, (SC)
Two Man Show: Tirage Gallery, 1998 & 2001 ( Pasadena CA); Graphic Gallery, 2000 (Newport Beach, CA); Rogers Gardens, 2015 (Newport Beach, CA)
One Man Show: Exchange Fine Art Gallery, 2000-2003 ( Orange, CA); Tirage Gallery, 2002-2003 ( Pasadena, CA); Coleman Gallery, 2008 (Charleston, SC); Segil Fine Art, 2005 - 2013 ( Monrovia, CA); Saga Fine Art, 2014 (Monrovia, CA)
Selected Awards:
2017" Irvine Museum Award for Best Landscape, at CAC 106th Annual Gold Medal Show,(CA);
"Gold Medal Award in Oil" San Dimas 41th Art Exhibition(CA);
2016 "Best of The Show" San Dimas 40th Art Exhibition(CA);
"Best In Show" Bucks County Plein Air 2016,( PA);
"Best In Show" Paint the Peninsula 2016, (WA);
"Best of The Show" Studios on the Park Wet Paint Invitational 2016, Paso Robles.( CA)
2015 "First Place" Paint The Peninsula 2015 (WA)
2015 "Festival Choice" award, San Dimas 39th Art Exhibition (CA);
2008 "First Place" & "Best of Cove Award", Crystal Cove Alliance Invitational Art Show (Newport Beach, CA)
2004 "Award of Excellence" OPA 13th Annual National Juried Show (WA),
2001-2004 "Honorable Mention" Carmel Art Festival (CA),
2003 "Honorable Mention" San Luis Obispo Art Festival (CA),
2003 "Overall Award of Excellence", Estes Park Plein Air 2003 (CO),
2003 "Artist*s Choice Award" La Quinta Plein Air Juried Competition (CA),
2002 "Third Place" CAC Outdoor Painting Festival & Juried Competition (MSJC, CA),
2002 "Merit Award" First Annual San Luis Obispo Art Festival (CA),
2002 "Award Of Merit" Estes Park Plein Air 2002 (CO);
2002 "Region III Winner-mini50" Arts For The Parks (WY),
2002 "Best of Show" La Quinta Plein Air Juried Competition (CA),
2001 "Best in Show- National Award Of Excellence" Oil Painters of America Tenth Annual National Juried Show,
2001 "Best Of Light Award" Tucson Plein Air 2001(AZ),
2001 "Art & Antique Magazine Award" Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational"(Laguna Beach, CA)
2001 "Second Place" Sights of Santa Ana (Bower Museum, Santa Ana, CA)
2000 "Best of Show" Galleries of Fine Art Show (Torrance, CA),
2000 "Award of Excellence" Oil Painters of America Ninth Annual National Juried Show (Carmel, CA),
1999 "Third Place" CAC Outdoor Painting Festival & Juried Competition (Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA),
1999 "Second Place" Eaton Canyon Poster Competition (Altadena, CA),
1998 "First Place- Floral & Still-life" Galleries of Fine Art Show (Torrance, CA),
1998 "First Place- Landscape & Still Life, Presbyterian Church 24th Annual Art Show ( Pasadena, CA),
1997 "First Place- Master Circle" San Gabriel Fine Art Association Juried Show
1996 "Artist of the Year Award" San Gabriel Fine Art Association
1995 "Best of Show" San Gabriel Fine Art Association
Selected Publications:
"Mother Natyre's Majesty" Art Of The West, March/April 2019. "A Revolutionary Career" Art Of The West,March/April 2013. "Painting The Canyon" Art of the West, Nov/Dec 2003. "For the Love of the Land" Art of the West, May/June 2004. "What Made An Award Painting" The Artist*s Magazine, July 2002. "Lessons in Success" American Artist, February 2002. "Nothing Plein About It" Art & Antique, October 2001 "Situ Wins Top Honor At OPA Show" Southwest Art, July 2001 "Artist To Watch" Southwest Art, February 2000.
