John Budicin is the current President of the Plein-Air Painters of America. He was born in Rovigno, D'Istria, Italy, but has lived in California since his arrival in the United States in 1955, at the age of 11.  He is a Signature Member of the California Arts Club, the Oil Painters of America, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and the Plein-Air Painters of America.  He has exhibited in numerous one-man and group shows throughout California and the United States.  Included in his many awards are the Palm Springs Life Award from the La Quinta Arts Foundation Plein Air Event, the Artists' Choice Award and the First Place Award from the California Art Club, and the Award of Excellence from the Oil Painters of America.

"Working small - mostly 8" X 10" and 9" X 12", but sometimes larger-gives me more time to observe (since I am not trying to cover a large area with paint) and relate to the scene before me. I particularly like late afternoon and evening light.  To capture this, I must work very quickly, before the fleeting light is gone."

Budicin is a firm believer in painting on the scene as opposed to using photographs and paints many of his paintings close to his home in San Bernardino, California.