Faculty 2025

In 2025, Plein Air Down Under presents internationally renowned artists to paint and demonstrate their skills during the festival.  The artists for 2025 are Michele Usibelli (USA), Leon Holmes (Australia), and Aaron Schuerr (USA) who bring their distinct perspectives, adding an enriching global dimension.

Our festival is further supported by Guest Artists from Australia including Andy Dolphin (Mt Barker), Gordon Alexander (Perth), and Linda MacAulay (Victoria).

MasterClass and Workshop access will be available for those with a PADU 2025 Access All Areas Pass.

Access All Areas Pass. Register here.

Masterclasses and Workshops. Register here.

Michele Usibelli (USA)

OPA, AIS, AWA, CAC, LPAPA

Vibrant-Passionate-Captivating

After earning her Architecture degree from the University of Washington, Michele merged her professional expertise with her love of travel. Her extensive life experiences and global adventures serve as the foundation for her art. Michele began her artistic journey rooted in the Russian Impressionist tradition, focusing on light and colour through expressive, loose brushstrokes. Her work spans genres—from still life and landscapes to cityscapes and figurative pieces—all unified by a consistent voice and distinct application of paint.

Primarily working in oils, Michele also explores acrylics, gouache and watercolour. Her goal is to create original pieces that resonate uniquely with each viewer. Collectors often remark that her work is recognizable “from across the room,” a testament to her artistic identity.

View Michele’s work at: Michele Usibelli Fine Art

Leon Holmes (WA)

Leon is an international award-winning plein air artist, lecturer and ambassador. 

He paints from life on location, without the aid of photography, using his small studies as reference for larger studio works created in his home studio in Mandurah.

A professional artist since 2003, Leon paints outdoors in the old masters’ style of impressionistic realism.  He works in oil to quickly capture natural light and colour.

View Leon’s wok at: leonholmesart.com.au

Aaron Schuerr (USA)

Aaron is from Montana (USA), and is well known for his works in Pastel and Oils. 

Livingston, Montana artist Aaron Schuerr has embarked on solo plein air painting treks across the Grand Canyon, over the Beartooth Mountains, and deep into the alpine wilderness areas of Montana and Colorado. He also makes regular trips to the coast, painting and teaching workshops in Maui and along the California coast.

View Aaron’s work at: www.aaronschuerr.com 

Andy Dolphin (Mt Barker, WA)     

Andy’s journey into fine art began over two decades ago, though his passion for art stretches back to childhood.

With a professional background in sign writing, graphic art, and commercial illustration, he now focuses on oil and watercolour painting, as well as outdoor sketching. Inspired by rural landscapes, forests, and seascapes, his work captures the beauty of sunlight, particularly the dramatic interplay of light and shadow at dawn and dusk.

His passion for plein air sketching and painting continues to grow and has earned him invitations to teach a variety of workshops, including residencies at Wireless Hill and Beverley plus regular spots at Plein Air Down Under and Albany Summer School.

Read more on Andy and his Urban Sketching Workshop Andy Dolphin

Gordon Alexander (Perth, WA)     

Gordon is a largely self-taught artist who paints in a loose, realist style. He loves Watercolour for its immediacy, variability and expressiveness.

Painting offers Gordon an avenue of mindful practice and opportunity to explore new modes of expression through visual language. He has found that the benefits of his art practice transcend the page and permeate many other aspects of his life.

As well as painting various subjects in the studio Gordon has felt compelled to venture outside and paint. There is nothing like being there, seeing something engaging, spending time absorbed and responding to it, being vulnerable with it whilst attempting to understand and translate it.

Read more on Gordon and his Fun Outside with Watercolour Workshop Gordon Alexander

Linda MacAulay (Vic)  

Australian Artist Linda MacAulay’s art career spans many decades and includes exhibiting, teaching, residencies, awards, publications and sales.

Linda worked as Artist in Residence at Uluru for many years, her large-scale acrylic canvasses reflecting her connection to the Australian landscape and a humorous approach to life.

One of her passions is experimenting with art techniques and materials and loves to share her creative discoveries with others. Linda appeared as a feature artist on the Television show “Colour in Your Life” and also shares her painting techniques on her YouTube channel.

Read more on Linda and her Taking Acrylics Outdoors Workshop Linda MacAulay