It is a first. solo show of plein air paintings

 

The thirty four oil paintings on display were all painted outdoors. They are called en plein air paintings. This French term was given to the Impressionists of the 1800’s who took their transportable paints and easels out into the open air to paint the changing light and color of the landscape.

Most of my oil paintings were completed in two- or three-hour sessions in the fields, mountains, woods or shore line.  While I try my best to finish the painting in one session, there are times when it’s necessary to finish it in the studio. But in essence, capturing the scenes in one session with quick, intuitive brush strokes is both a thrill and a challenge for me as a plein air painter.

My love of painting outdoors has many personal benefits.  The sights and sounds of being outdoors are truly astonishing, enjoyable experiences.  While standing and painting in one spot for a couple of hours, it’s like being a quiet and noble tree in the forest.  It is that gentle solitary figure standing in front of the easel, focused on interpreting the landscape that gives me the knowledge I am part of all that is seen.  That I belong here in this beautiful world. 

Because of the stillness and concentration needed during a painting session, occasionally a deer or two as well as ermines, Fisher cats, coyotes have crossed my sight line, seagulls have dropped live clams from above onto the rocks near me. I have stood in amazement as Canada Geese fly over my head and I hear the sound of wind whistling through their feathers.  My God, what a privilege to be alive and to experience these sights and sounds of Nature.

Not everything about painting outdoors is so pleasant especially during the summer and winter months. There are the obnoxious bugs such as ticks, mosquitos, gnats. And the weather can be a bit challenging too with sweltering humidity, blazing hot sun, intermitted sprinkles and fog, frosty temps with snow and ice. A few times I failed to notice the incoming tide and have had my boots soaked.

Getting out there in Nature to capture on canvas the color and changing light absolutely makes my day worthwhile.

Printmaker, G. Baumann and outdoor painter

Recently, OutdoorPainter.com had published a short article about my all-time favorite color woodcut printmaker, Gustave Baumann. The article speaks of Baumann's love of outdoor painting accomplished in gouache and watercolors on mid-tone papers.  The paintings are beautiful works of art unto themselves but they were only landscapes studies to be finalized in print form...He painted to be a better printmaker.

When the Boston Antiquarian Book and Print Fair comes round, I locate the booth where his prints can be held and the print surface scrutinized for the soft, rich color combinations and mark making.  They are modest designs, unually 9"X11", and were often printed using up to seven woodblocks.  Simply beautiful!  http://www.outdoorpainter.com/history/art-history-gustave-baumann-1881-1971-445.html

If you are ever in Sante Fe, be sure to stop by the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of New Mexico to check out their extensive Baumann print collection.

This Thursday, I painted in Beverly at Goat Hill (see link for more historical info regarding this area) http://www.primaryresearch.org/PRTHB/Neighborhoods/Goathill/index.php overlooking the Bass River.  A lovely, sunny day with temps in the 40's and no one around except for the pick-up truck rendezvous at noontime.  This was my second spot for consideration, the first being at Long Hill.  My Corgi and I sat for a while on a log watching a flock of colorful chickens, a pair of turkeys and comic Guinea hens scratch in the pine straw at the Children's Garden.  Though not inspiring enough to break open the paint box; a comtemplative time well spent.

My attraction at Goat Hill was the busy tumbling of factory buildings lining the river's edge with a distant bridge and checkered water tower contrasting the quiet, blue shape of the water plane.  Of course, the rhythm of the vertical dock pilings in the foreground and the diagonal cutting shoreline and boatyard cranes delighted my eye.  The challenge of organizing such a jumble of shapes and line into a dynamic 12"X16" format, invigorated my painting senses into using color spots.