Experience the many moods and forms of the natural world, from the coldest winter nights to the first glimpses of spring, and through the height of summer as depicted by Williamstown-based artist John MacDonald. Featuring 11 atmospheric landscape scenes, this new solo exhibition invites viewers to enter the world of each painting and make their own discoveries within.
MacDonald received a B.F.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.A. in painting from Purdue University, and studied printmaking at the Institute for American Universities in Avignon, France. An accomplished artist, MacDonald describes himself as “a realist by inclination and training . . . most interested in the abstract qualities of painting and the wordless realm of feelings.”
His work is strongly influenced by the American Tonalists and classic poets of ancient China. MacDonald’s painting “Long Winter Dusk” was voted the winner of the Community Choice Award by Berkshire Museum visitors during the summer 2018 juried exhibition, “Art of the Hills.” The artist’s portfolio of work can be viewed on his website at www.jmacdonald.com.
“BerkshireNow: John MacDonald” is on view at the Berkshire Museum (Pittsfield, MA) through July 28, 2019.
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I would like to know what kind and color ground the artist uses and if it is wet or dry.
Hello Barbara,
I use an oil ground and usually (but not always) tone it with a a burnt sienna/burnt umber mixture with white. I’ll often wipe the tone while it’s wet to lighten it. It’s always lighter in value than a middle gray. The ground (toned or not) is always completely dry when I begin painting. I hope that helps!
These are breathtaking paintings; Evening Glare is so spectacular, John would you say the thickness of the paint is the main factor for that intense glow? Thank you also for your well-written newsletters, I read them all the time!