Geoff Allen

Affiliations: San Diego Watercolor Society, Member, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Signature member, California Art Club

After earning an MFA from the prestigious Claremont Graduate University, Geoff began his professional art career as a scene painter in Hollywood. He also pursued black and white photography, capturing street scenes and culminating in a solo exhibition at the Reno Art Museum. Geoff began teaching drawing and directed several college art galleries.

Geoff’s mediums varied from poured plaster, to fiberglass, and syringes filled with acrylic. This led to a solo exhibition at the Post Gallery, in Los Angeles. As diverse as all these experiences may seem, Geoff finds they have connecting threads to plein air; the outdoor search for a composition and using materials that flow together to create beauty. Geoff states, “… my focus now: the tradition of plein air painting, which relies the most, on self-guided intuition. Plein Air feels more about an appreciation of life and

nature and transforming that excitement onto paper.

Geoff has attained many accolades and awards in the watercolor world. These include:

Plein Air Magazine, Cover and Contributing Writer, July 2024 Issue

Plein Air Live Faculty, Essentials Day, with Streamline Productions

Art School Live with Eric Rhodes

A solo exhibition “Coastal to Local”, Encinitas City Hall

16 awards within the last two years

Featured and mentions in numerous art publications

Geoff is a sought-after juror and instructor with a strong social media presence. His classes and workshops regularly sell out. He has instructed workshops in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Idaho, and Nevada. These classes and workshops capture the essence of immediacy and nature.

“ I love that aspect of art making when something is slightly out of my control and a challenge. It allows me to feel that I am playing with mysterious forces beyond my own understanding.”

Read Entry Requirements in the Prospectus

Click to read the Prospectus 

How to Enter

All artists must have an account on our website to enter the exhibition. Current and expired SDWS members can log into their existing account (LOG IN) and follow the below links to enter. If you are a new non-member, you can either register for free or join SDWS. (CREATE AN ACCOUNT)

Entry Fee:
SDWS Members: $25
Non-Members or Expired Members: $40


Questions? Email pleinairshow@sdws.org for more information.

Forms & Instructions

Accepted artists can access the forms & instructions link below for important information about the show. Artists should download, print, and complete the required forms. Artists shipping their artwork have additional requirements and forms to complete.

Click HERE for the 2025 List of Accepted Artists
contact us at Email pleinairshow@sdws.org for Forms & Instructions (Accepted Artists Only)

Click HERE for the 2025 Ninth Annual Plein Air Exhibition Prospectus

Important Dates

Timeline for 2025 show

March 15 Call for entries open for online entry

April 25 Call for entries closes

May 2 Artists are notified of juror’s choices for accepted works to the show

May 3 Accepted artists will be instructions for shipping and delivery

May 3-June 21 Shipping window ( see Framing subheading if you need to ship unframed work)

June 19-21 Local delivery – accepted works can be hand delivered to the gallery during open gallery hours, Wed – Sun 11-3pm.

July 1 Juror will award paintings in person

July 1 Awarded artists will be notified by personal email. All accepted artists will be notified of awards given.

July 2 - 30 Show opens in gallery and online

July 5 Reception for the show is Saturday, July 5, 1-3pm. All visitors and artists are welcome to attend. Awards will be presented at the reception.

July 31 The show closes.

July 31 People’s Choice award winner will be notified after the public votes are tallied. The winner is requested to display their painting for one more month in the gallery.

July 31-Aug 1 Local artists can pick up any unsold work from the gallery. Unsold

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Email pleinairshow@sdws.org.