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New Reveal From Crystal Bridges

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Crystal Bridges expansion
Close aerial of Crystal Bridges looking north. Courtesy of Safdie Architects

A decade after opening, an expansion at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Arkansas) will increase the museum’s galleries, create more space for educational programming, and foster new community engagement opportunities.

From the museum:

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art revealed plans for an expansion that will increase the size of the current facilities by 50 percent. Adding nearly 100,000 square feet to the 200,000-square-foot facility, the expansion will allow the museum to showcase its growing collection and welcome more visitors to experience the power of art, in an inclusive environment. Envisioned to support Crystal Bridges’ commitment to free access to art for all, the new space will increase capacity for presenting art and exhibitions, educational and outreach initiatives, cultural programming, and community events.

“It’s wonderful to see how our community, our region, and travelers to Bentonville from across the nation and around the world have embraced Crystal Bridges, and enjoyed the experience of being surrounded by art, nestled in nature, and immersed in Moshe Safdie’s architecture,” said Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges founder and board chairperson. “With the number of visitors we welcome annually, it’s timely to enlarge our building and make sure more people can access these offerings. Having Safdie Architects expand on its original Crystal Bridges design with this new addition will create a unified experience for enjoying art, nature, and architecture.”

Crystal Bridges expansion
Aerial of Crystal Bridges looking south. Courtesy of Safdie Architects

Ten years after completing the original design for the museum, Safdie Architects has returned to create a seamlessly integrated expansion that resonates with the existing pavilions and outdoor spaces. New structures will house additional galleries, educational facilities, event spaces, a café, and new indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. Extending the long-term partnership between Crystal Bridges and Safdie Architects, the design continues the deep integration of art, architecture, and nature that has become synonymous with Crystal Bridges.

The project is currently in the design development phase with construction commencing in early 2022 with the goal of completing construction in 2024. As a precursor to the expansion, a reconfigured main lobby and courtyard, also designed by Safdie Architects, will be completed in May 2021.

“It has been a joy to see Crystal Bridges’ enthusiastic reception by the public. We are honored to be back and working with the museum to realize a series of new facilities which will enrich the diversity of the museum experience,” said Moshe Safdie, founder of Safdie Architects.

Crystal Bridges expansion
New bridge connecting two galleries, with view to cafe and natural surroundings. Courtesy of Safdie Architects

Expansion Project Details

Complementing existing design elements, the expansion adds to the collection of elegant pavilions nestled into the sloping landscape. Continued use of regional materials such as concrete, timber, and fieldstone are sourced from Northwest Arkansas and celebrate the region’s craft traditions. New interior/exterior connections throughout the project create links between the galleries and program spaces and the surrounding park and trails.

The relationship between the building and its natural surroundings promotes an accessible experience that expresses Crystal Bridges’ vision of creating an environment of inclusion and belonging.

Design highlights include:

  • Increased gallery space (by 65 percent) will allow the museum to present art with two new galleries while also adding to existing space for temporary exhibitions and offering new spaces for community displays.
  • More educational spaces and a dedicated floor with community gathering areas, art studios, maker spaces, and flexible facilities will engage creators of all ages and abilities.
  • A new bridge connecting two galleries could add non-traditional space for art that is not sensitive to light. With floor-to-ceiling views of the natural surroundings, it will offer spaces for reflection and gathering, including a new café.
  • A circular event plaza will increase opportunities for outdoor community programming and performances.
Crystal Bridges expansion
View from cafe onto new event plaza. Courtesy of Safdie Architects

Crystal Bridges and Safdie Architects are working with Coen+Partners Landscape Architects to develop dedicated outdoor spaces, and enhancements to the existing network of surrounding trails and art encounters. Buro Happold has returned as the Structural, Façade, and MEP Engineer of the project to continue its collaboration on the innovative series of interconnected, pavilions that bridge, surround, and create the ponds that are an integral part of the museum design.

The Impact of Crystal Bridges

Since opening in 2011, Crystal Bridges has welcomed more than five million visitors to experience the renowned collection with free admission, exhibitions, and five miles of sculpture and walking trails on 120 acres. The museum opened with approximately 1,500 artworks spanning five centuries of American art and has since more than doubled its collection and presented more than 60 exhibitions, organizing or co-organizing many of them, including Crafting America, which is currently on view.

In 2018, the museum re-installed its Early American Art Galleries to tell a more inclusive story, adding multiple perspectives with Native American, folk, and Spanish Colonial objects, contemporary works, and bilingual text. The museum has been focused on acquiring works by artists underrepresented in art history. Recent acquisitions include works by 25 Native American artists, Sam Gilliam, Amy Sherald, and 34 artworks featured in State of the Art 2020, which debuted alongside the grand opening of the Momentary, a 63,000-square-foot satellite space dedicated to contemporary art.

In 2019, Crystal Bridges hosted nearly 800 programs and events and welcomed more than 700,000 visitors including 50,000 students participating in school field trips. Committed to providing an accessible experience for visitors of all backgrounds and abilities, the museum provides on-site accommodations and continues to grow its educational programs to serve new audiences through community outreach initiatives.

In 2020, the outreach team held over 100 listening sessions with local organizations to hear about COVID challenges. As a result, thousands of meals, food boxes, and house-cleaning supply kits were distributed to schools and families all around the region, each paired with an art kit. The museum is committed to building upon these efforts, with in-depth partnership projects with local artists and social service agencies, and more collaborations that expand the voices and perspectives in the museum.

“In its first 10 years, Crystal Bridges has catalyzed economic development in Northwest Arkansas by transforming the region into a destination for tourism and enhancing the quality of life for our residents,” said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of Northwest Arkansas Council. “The museum’s expansion will open opportunities for artists and creatives and provide access to more world-class art in our community.”


> Visit EricRhoads.com to learn about more opportunities for artists and art collectors, including retreats, international art trips, art conventions, and more.

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An Artist in “Total Shock”

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Lori Putnam, winning the Plein Air Salon

The 10th Annual Plein Air Salon awards ceremony took place live on Facebook during the 2nd Annual Plein Air Live, where Eric Rhoads and Kelly Kane announced the top winners, including our Grand Prize winner, Lori Putnam.

“A huge congratulations to all of the category winners from the past year,” Lori said. “It is truly unbelievable to be part of such an amazing group of artists. I respect all of you so very much.”

This year’s winners were:

  • People Choice award ($500): Lori Putnam
  • $500 Honorable Mention ($500): Nikita Budkov
  • $500 Honorable Mention ($500): Jennifer Diehl
  • $500 Honorable Mention ($500): Christine Lashley
  • Third Place Winner ($1,500): Jennifer McChristian
  • Second Place Winner ($3,000): Joe Paquet
  • First Place Winner ($15,000 and the cover of Plein Air Magazine): Lori Putnam

Lori Putnam, winning the Plein Air SalonHere’s more of what Lori had to say about winning the 10th Annual Plein Air Salon:

Imagine the surprise when someone knocks on your door at 9PM on a Saturday night, and this is what you see… a big cardboard check!

Mark and I had just finished dinner when I remembered I needed to log on to a special link for the online awards ceremony with Plein air Magazine’s, Eric Rhoads. Never thinking I might have to actually look nice, I had on sweat pants and a t-shirt (eek). When I logged on, I could see the faces of the other finalists. They were so professionally dressed and prepared looking, while. I was just hoping there wasn’t spinach in my teeth. Just goes to show how little expectation I had in actually winning anything!

Honestly, if it wasn’t for this big cardboard check sitting here, and all of the well-wishers on social media, I still would not believe this. It is with the greatest excitement and deepest gratitude that I share with you that these paintings took prizes this past Saturday evening:

Lori Putnam - Safe Harbor - Plein Air Salon
“Safe Harbor,” First Place, $15,000 cash plus the cover of Plein air Magazine. (Collection Ms Barbara A. Levine)
“Safe Harbor” was awarded first place overall in the October 2020 Plein Air Salon by Karen Hewitt, owner of Hagan Fine Art in Charleston.
Lori Putnam - Headin Home - Plein Air Salon
“Headin’ Home,” People’s Choice, $500 cash award. (Available, Frame of Reference Gallery, Whitefish, MT)
“Headin’ Home” was awarded first place overall in November by Cynthia McBride, owner of McBride Gallery in Annapolis.

During the ceremony, the finalists were not able to see which of their paintings took prizes. Kelly Kane, Editor of Plein air Magazine, had described the Grand Prize winner, “Safe Harbor.” But it was not until the following day when I saw someone else’s Instagram post that People’s Choice had gone to “Headin’ Home”!

The most important thing for you to know, is that it is your support as artists, friends, collectors, and followers that really make this so special. You are a part of my family. This would be meaningless without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Obviously, I also want to thank the great folks at Plein Air Magazine, all of the judges, and my wonderful husband who sees me go day after day doubting myself but still believes in me anyway. ~Lori Putnam

To view the other top prize winners, watch the full-length Plein Air Salon awards ceremony here.

The Plein Air Salon is currently accepting entries for the next round – enter your best work at PleinAirSalon.com.

Upcoming Auction Celebrates Historic American Artists

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Oil painting of a boat - art auctions
Lot 178 - Emile Gruppe (1896-1978) Smith's Cove, oil on canvas, 18 x 20 in. Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000

The RAA&M Annual Art Auction attracts serious collectors from across the country, as well as those just starting an art collection. Held in the Hibbard Gallery of the Rockport Art Association & Museum (RAA&M), the auction features works by master Cape Ann artists of the past such as: Aldro T. Hibbard, Harry A. Vincent, Anthony Thieme, Emile Gruppé, W. Lester Stevens, Antonio Cirino, Paul Strisik, Charles Paul Gruppé, Emma Fordyce MacRae, William Meyerowitz, Charles Kaelin, Don Stone, Charles Movalli, Bernard Corey, Charles Vickery and many more.

The auction specializes in Cape Ann art, but is not limited to this region and also includes works by numerous other prominent historic American artists.

Oil painting of small town
Lot 56 – W. Lester Stevens (1888-1969)
Winter Scene, oil on canvas, 20 x 24 in.
Estimate: $5,000 – $7,000
Oil painting of small town
Lot 177 – Antonio Cirino (1888-1983)
Fisherman Shack, oil on board, 10 x 12 in.
Estimate: $1,000 – $1,500
Oil painting of boats - art auctions
Lot 165 – Harry A. Vincent (1864-1931)
Early Morning, Rockport, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in.
Estimate: $12,000 – $18,000
Oil painting of a snow scene
Lot 153 – Aldro T. Hibbard (1886-1972)
The Old Sawmill, Newfane, VT, oil on canvas mnt. on board, 18 x 24 in.
Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000
Oil painting of a rocky shore
Lot 149 – W. Lester Stevens (1888-1969)
Bass Rocks, oil on canvas, 25 x 30 in.
Estimate: $5,000 – $8,000
Oil painting of a boat - art auctions
Lot 146 – Emile Gruppe (1896-1978)
Morning, Gloucester Harbor, oil on canvas, 1942, 30 x 25 in.
Estimate: $6,000 – $10,000

The auction, now in its 36th year, began with a bequest by founding member, Antonio Cirino (1888-1983). Cirino left his artwork to the RAA&M with the stipulation that the art be auctioned to help support the organization. The auction quickly evolved to include other historic Cape Ann artists and has been the RAA&M’s major annual fundraising event ever since.

The RAA&M Annual Art Auction takes place May 1, 2021. For details, please visit RockportArtAssn.org.


> Visit EricRhoads.com to learn about more opportunities for artists and art collectors, including retreats, international art trips, art conventions, and more.

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Friday Virtual Gallery Walk for April 23, 2021

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Friday Virtual Gallery Walk

As part of our effort to continue to help artists and art galleries thrive, we’re proud to bring you this week’s “Virtual Gallery Walk.” Browse the artwork below and click the image itself to learn more about it, including how to contact the gallery.

Oil painting of trees laden with moss
Another Place & Time by Rani Garner, Oil, 30 x 40 in., 36 x 46 in. framed; Anderson Fine Art Gallery

 

Greedy (featured in Infestation) by Stuart Dunkel, Oil on panel, 5 x 7 in., Signed; Rehs Contemporary

 

Charcoal drawing of farmhouse at twilight
Farmhouse at Twilight by Charles Francois Daubigny (1817 – 1878), Charcoal on paper, 12 1/4 x 17 1/4 in., Estate stamped; Rehs Galleries, Inc.

 

Oil painting with vibrant oranges and blues representing a river
River by E. Joseph McCarthy, Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 in.; Vermont Artisan Designs

Want to see your gallery featured in an upcoming Virtual Gallery Walk? Contact us at [email protected] to advertise today. Don’t delay, as spaces are first come, first served, and availability is limited.

Featured Artwork: Chantel Lynn Barber

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Acrylic painting of the face of a girl in a masquerade mask

Transcend
6 x 6 in.
Acrylic on panel
$365
Available through the artist

Chantel Lynn Barber yearns to promote the human spirit in her work. She believes that when it comes to the human race, there is more that unites than divides. There is beauty in everyone, regardless of whether they measure up to society’s definition of beauty. Not only their joys, but their sorrows too. She wants to show the beauty in the human condition. Chantel is on a journey to capture the vision in her mind’s eye – the one blood we as humans share. And she does it all in acrylic – with strong color, energetic brushwork, light and story. Her loose style draws the viewer’s attention, visually beckoning them to wonder at the essence of life.

Chantel is a Signature Member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters. She is a member of the Portrait Society of America, The National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society, and American Women Artists.

Selected Award Highlights
• Best Acrylic 10th Annual Plein Air Salon Competition 2020
• Award of Excellence – National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society 2020 Spring Online International Exhibition
• Finalist – BoldBrush Painting Competition, March 2020
• Finalist – BoldBrush Painting Competition, January 2020
• Finalist – BoldBrush Painting Competition, March 2020
• Award of Excellence – National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society 2020 Spring Online International Exhibition
• Finalist Outside the Box Category – Portrait Society of America’s Members Only Competition, December 2019
• Honorable Mention – International Society of Acrylic Painters All-Member Online Exhibition, December 2019
• Winner AcrylicWorks 7: Color and Light Peak Media 2019 Acrylics Competition
• Finalist – BoldBrush Painting Competition, August 2019
• Award of Excellence – National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society 2019 Spring Online International Exhibition
• Finalist – BoldBrush Painting Competition, March 2019
• Winner AcrylicWorks 6: Creative Energy North Light Books’ 2018 Acrylics Competition
• Winner Strokes of Genius 9: Creative Discoveries North Light Books’ 2016 Drawing Competition
• Master Class Finalist – Art Muse Contest, November 2018
• Master Class Finalist – Art Muse Contest, February 2018
• Outstanding Acrylic – BoldBrush Painting Competition, January 2018
• 2017 Annual Award Winner Master Class – Art Muse Contest
• Master Class Finalist – Art Muse Contest, October 2017
• Master Class Winner – Art Muse Contest, May 2017
• Finalist – BoldBrush Painting Competition, February 2017
• 2nd Place – BoldBrush Painting Competition, December 2015

To see more of Chantel’s work, visit: www.chantellynnbarber.com

Still Looking for the Promised Land

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Adam Straus, "Still Looking for the Promised Land"
Adam Straus, "Still Looking for the Promised Land," 2018. Oil and graphite on newspaper and shopping lists adhered to jute, adhered to wood, framed in lead, 41 x 63 x 2 in.

A consummate observer of both nature and politics, Adam Straus juxtaposes classic romantic landscapes of National Parks or images inspired by 19th-century artists such as Martin Johnson Heade and John Kensett with layers of recent newspaper coverage of politics, racism, immigration, human rights and other issues.

“After the 2016 election I had a feeling of impending doom,” Straus said. “I began to witness the news go from bad to worse. This was the initial impetus in covering whatever surface I was working on with the newspaper to contrast the absurdity and tragedies of humanity with depictions of the magnificence of nature.”

Adam Straus, "Out of Paradise, Grand Tetons," 2018
Adam Straus, “Out of Paradise, Grand Tetons,” 2018

Although much of the news is painted over by Straus, headlines and images can still be seen within his landscapes of mountains, oceans, and gardens. At times he will scratch additional headlines and phrases from the news over the paintings in graphite, some readable and some not, but often becoming a cacophony of jumbled information. This underlining layer of information grew to include his son’s drawings as well as day-to-day mundane shopping lists, and even rejection letters from the Guggenheim fellowship.

Some of the landscapes are further altered by digitally-inspired glitches and translucent shrouds created by adhering rice paper over parts of the image, referring to man’s uneasy relationship with nature. Other paintings are meant to provide escape from the daily bombardment of news, while several become a visual version of the news that is most important to him as an artist.

Adam Straus, "A Crack in the Majestic"
Adam Straus, “A Crack in the Majestic,” 2018, oil and metal leaf on newspaper transferred and adhered to canvas adhered to wood framed in lead-49×62

“It is my continued belief in the resilience of nature, that no matter what we do, it will survive even if we don’t, and that something will grow out of the cracks of whatever we leave,” Straus notes. “But, it is also my hope that we get our act together and start saving what we can’t survive without. While I think of these paintings as optimistic, I hope that they also suggest that the Earth is being drastically affected by our presence, and we need to improve our relationship to nature.”

Work by Adam Straus is in numerous museum collections including the Parrish Art Museum, Bridgehampton, NY; List Visual Center, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA; Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH; The Art Museum at F.I.U., Miami, FL; Mead Art Museum, Amherst, MA; Tufts University Art Gallery, Somerville, MA; and the William College Museum of Art, Williamstown, MA, among others.

A monograph on the work of Adam Straus was published by Gli Ori, Italy, in 2016. The book includes text by Adam Straus, edited with an essay by filmmaker and art critic Amei Wallach. Straus writes about childhood experiences, unusual moments with collectors and how a move to the North Fork of Long Island from Brooklyn in 2003 inspired many of his works. Born in Miami in 1956, Straus lives and works in Riverhead, NY.

Adam Straus, "Out of Paradise, British Columbia"
Adam Straus, “Out of Paradise, British Columbia,” 2020, oil on newspaper and shopping lists on paper adhered to wood framed in lead, 38×63

“Still Looking for the Promised Land,” an exhibition of recent landscape paintings by Adam Straus, will be on view at Nohra Haime Gallery through May 1, 2021. Subtly calling attention to issues in the news during the 45th presidency, the paintings contrast current events from 2016-2020 with an optimistic view of nature’s resilience. The exhibition can also be viewed online at nohrahaimegallery.com.


> Visit EricRhoads.com to learn about more opportunities for artists and art collectors, including retreats, international art trips, art conventions, and more.

> Sign up to receive Fine Art Today, our free weekly e-newsletter

> Subscribe to Fine Art Connoisseur magazine, so you never miss an issue

We’ve Lost a Master: Richard Schmid, Rest in Peace

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Artist Richard Schmid in front of castle
Richard Schmid strolls the grounds of Abbotsford, the baronial house and estate of the novelist Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). Schmid’s entourage included his wife, Nancy Guzik; his daughter Molly Schmid; Douglas Pringle, an attorney and the president of Wichita’s K.T. Wiedemann Founda-tion; and Kristen Thies. Photo: Kristen Thies (Fine Art Connoisseur, September / October 2012)

The art world lost a great master Sunday, April 18, 2021. Throughout his distinguished career as a painter, author, and teacher, Richard Schmid was a candid spokesman for what is known as the Grand Manner—a certain mingling of virtuosity and unrestrained joy in art. Richard continued to paint, write and enjoy life with Nancy in the bucolic setting of their New Hampshire home.

Richard was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1934. His earliest artistic influence came from his maternal grandfather, Julian Oates, an architectural sculptor. Richard’s initial training in landscape painting began at the age of 12 with the Chicago painter Gianni Cilfone. Subsequent studies in anatomy and figure drawing allowed his entrance at 18 into the American Academy of Art in Chicago, where he continued into the full range of classical techniques under William H. Mosby.

Throughout his career, which saw more than 50 one-man shows, Richard promoted art education through his books, articles, workshops, seminars, and television presentations. He traveled widely for his subjects, and lived in New Hampshire with his wife, the painter Nancy Guzik. Richard held a Doctorate in Fine Art and was a recipient of The John Singer Sargent Medal for Lifetime Achievement.

“Each one of us is here to make this world a better place through our art,” said Nancy. “What you create is important and who you are is to be treasured, and that together we can fill this world with beauty and make it a better place for all.”

Artist Richard Schmid in front of castle
Richard Schmid strolls the grounds of Abbotsford, the baronial house and estate of the novelist Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). Richard’s entourage included his wife, Nancy Guzik; his daughter Molly Schmid; Douglas Pringle, an attorney and the president of Wichita’s K.T. Wiedemann Foundation; and Kristen Thies. Photo: Kristen Thies (Fine Art Connoisseur, September / October 2012)
Artist Richard Schmid
Richard Schmid in his New Hampshire studio with his plein air study (left) and the start of Abbotsford House. Photo: Nancy Guzik (Fine Art Connoisseur, September / October 2012)

“I’m saddened to learn of Richard’s passing,” said Fine Art Connoisseur publisher Eric Rhoads. “My deep condolences to Nancy, Molly, Gretchen, his family, and the Putney painters.

“Richard was, for many of us, the greatest living painter. His leadership was unparalleled, his generosity and  passion for teaching influenced millions. He will be fondly remembered by history as one of the greats.

“I have fond memories of painting alongside Richard, watching him paint a portrait as I stood and painted right behind him trying to copy every brushstroke. He and Nancy dined with Laurie and me, and we’ve had the pleasure of representing his books and videos for years. My fondest memory was the day he painted my portrait and sitting around talking  about art afterwards.

“Richard was bigger than life and will be even bigger in death.”

Eric Rhoads and Richard Schmid
Eric Rhoads (left) with Richard Schmid (right), from “The Portrait Project” started in 2007.
Guzik and Schmid painting a portrait of Rhoads
Nancy and Richard painting a portrait of Rhoads

“Richard Schmid was not only a great artist, but also an enormous inspiration to art lovers everywhere, especially artists seeking to refine their own skills,” said Peter Trippi, Editor-in-Chief of Fine art Connoisseur. “His technical virtuosity and charismatic personality came through loud and clear in an array of superb publications, films, and presentations that will delight generations to come. They ensure that Richard will always remain with us, yet as a man he will be missed very much by anyone who ever met him. Everyone at Fine Art Connoisseur sends our deepest sympathy and warmest wishes to Richard’s family and close friends.”

Richard was the author of the hugely influential book Alla Prima, and later, Alla Prima II – Expanded Edition: Everything I Know About Painting, and More. “Contemporary realist artists have always paid attention to Richard’s artistry, workshops, and publications, so it’s no surprise that the original Alla Prima was reprinted 10 times,” said Max Gillies in a Fine Art Connoisseur article.

Gillies continued: In his preface to the expanded edition, Richard extended his gratitude to the readers who “have expressed to me your appetite for knowledge and learning, not only about painting itself, but also about the deeply beautiful philosophical ideas I believe should underlie all of the arts.”

Richard added in the comments, with characteristic modesty, that “my motive in sharing this data is not to convert anyone to a particular way or school of painting, particularly mine. After all, I have always stubbornly resisted all who have tried to steer me onto what they thought was a proper path.”

Nancy and the family will be sharing a longer statement at a future date.

If you would like to send Nancy or the family a card you can do so care of:
Village Arts of Putney
114 Westminster Rd
Putney, Vermont 05346

Auctions, Awards, and Aspevig – All at Plein Air Live

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Plein Air Live - Clyde Aspevig artist
Clyde Aspevig walking us through his large-scale landscape that preserves American history

The recent Plein Air Live conference was an event to remember, and it wasn’t just for working artists. During the four days of back-to-back sessions hosted by Eric Rhoads and Kelly Kane, hundreds of artists had front row seats to a personal studio tour with Clyde Aspevig, educational art critiques by C.W. Mundy, access to a faculty auction only for attendees, the Plein Air Salon awards and our latest Lifetime Achievement award, as well as dozens of step-by-step painting demonstrations by today’s master landscape painters.

Here’s what you may have missed, but know that you can join us in August for Pastel Live! Art collectors, gallery owners, and artists alike will benefit from the tremendous about of information and the incredible networking that takes place.

Painting Critiques by C.W. Mundy

C.W. Mundy Critique Session

Attendees had the incredible opportunity to subject their paintings to be considered for a critique, which was given by C.W. Mundy.

Inspired by a Biblical verse, C.W. first expressed that he wanted to be encouraging because one’s art is so personal.

“We have a great connection with it,” he said. “This is just C.W. Mundy, and there’s objectivity and subjectivity in doing these critiques.”

A Look at the History of Plein Air Painting

Jean Stern

Jean Stern, Director Emeritus of the Irvine Museum, returned to Plein Air Live to share an educational lecture on the early history of plein air painters, including little-known facts about their early methods and insights into the styles of Romanticism and Luminism.

He asks, is luminism still alive and well? The answer is a resounding yes, as we can see in the works of some of our very own Plein Air Live faculty.

State of Plein Air Roundtable Discussion

In a highly anticipated roundtable, Kelly Kane hosted a discussion with three prominent members of the plein air community: Lillian Ainsley, Suzie Baker, and Catherine Hoke. They covered everything from pre-pandemic plein air life to the recent hardships on artists and the organizations that support them, and the “secret sauce” of groups that are succeeding in growth. All in all, the future looks bright!

Roundtable Discussion: Lillian Ainsley, Suzie Baker, Catherine Hoke moderated by Kelly Kane
Roundtable Discussion: Lillian Ainsley (lower right), Suzie Baker (lower left), Catherine Hoke (top right) moderated by Kelly Kane (top left)

Lifetime Achievement Award Given to Joe Anna Arnett

“I look back at a lifetime of achievement, a lifetime of happiness, and a lifetime of joy,” said Joe Anna Arnett during her Lifetime Achievement Award presentation from Eric. We saw a touching documentary about Joe Anna’s life, and she shared inspiring words to encourage the rest of us. Congratulations, Joe Anna ~ very well deserved!

Joe Anna Arnett Lifetime Achievement Award
Joe Anna Arnett Lifetime Achievement Award

Studio Tour With Clyde Aspevig

American landscape painter Clyde Aspevig took us on an educational and intimate tour of his beautiful studio space, sharing his paintings and his inspiration behind them. During the tour of his works, he also explained how to read a painting, whether it’s abstract or representational.

Part of his presentation included insights into his 6×10-foot painting of an area that is very dear to his heart: “I want the viewer to get a sense of this open landscape that still has a feeling of immense vastness that really was a part of how this country was developed,” he said. “It was such immensity, such an immense amount of possibilities of what we were going to do with this landscape. Now we have a piece of it that literally hasn’t been torn apart and destroyed, and I hope that part of it comes through in the pristineness.”

Clyde Aspevig: Presentation
Clyde Aspevig: Presentation

10th Annual Plein Air Salon Awards Ceremony

Last, but far from least, we held the 10th Annual Plein Air Salon Awards Ceremony, where
Lori Putnam won the Grand Prize – $15,000 and the cover of Plein Air Magazine – for her oil painting, “Safe Harbor.” Watch the full ceremony at facebook.com/pleinairmagazine.

Lori Putnam - Plein Air Salon winner

Pastel Live banner

Planetary: Large Works by Kristy Gordon

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Representational portrait painting
Kristy Gordon, "Whisper," 24 x 20 in.

Three years ago, Kristy Gordon moved back to her hometown of Nelson, BC, leaving the bustle of New York City and returning to the quietude of the mountains in this heritage city in Canada. It was a difficult decision to make but in hindsight it all felt almost divinely guided. She spent the pandemic in the safety of the Kootenays, and also received a regional art grant from the Columbia Basin Trust and Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance. As Gordon will be moving back to NYC this June, her new solo exhibition, “Planetary,” punctuates the completion of this precious time she has spent in her hometown.

Artist Kristy Gordon in studio
Artist Kristy Gordon in studio; Photo by Louis Bockner

This marks the end of a busy year for the artist. Gordon’s work was included in shows with Grenning Gallery in Long Island, NY and Garvey|Simon in NYC and she has been teaching one day painting workshops via Zoom throughout the pandemic.

Over the years, Gordon has had numerous solo exhibitions, and she’s looking forward to presenting her work for the first time near her hometown.

Some of the largest paintings in this new body of work were started in New York City just before her move. However, the majority of the paintings were done in the last couple years and were heavily influenced by the global upheaval of the pandemic as well as social justice movements.

Contemporary narrative painting
Kristy Gordon, “Liminality,” 52 x 64 in.

“’The Cosmic Lotus’ and ‘Strangled Planet’ are the largest figurative paintings I’ve ever done,” says Gordon. “They took about three and a half years to complete and I started them as an artist who couldn’t do a painting of that size and complexity and finished them as an artist who could.”

Large-scale floral painting
Kristy Gordon, “The Cosmic Lotus,” 60 x 96 in.
Contemporary narrative painting
Kristy Gordon, “Strangled Planet,” 54 x 96 in.

The paintings in “Planetary” interweave motifs from disparate genres and time periods—from Old Master history painting to contemporary portraiture—to create an inclusive narrative about the shared struggle, strength and resilience of people in today’s global climate. These paintings subvert the tradition of history painting by dismantling and repopulating narratives with a diverse and inclusive cast of figures, in a way that speaks broadly to the current activist movements that champion equality and environmental awareness.

Contemporary narrative painting
Kristy Gordon, “Planetary,” 30 x 36 in.

Planetary art Installation“Planetary,” runs through June 6, 2021 at the Langham Cultural Center in Kaslo, BC. There will be a Zoom opening for the show on Sunday, April 25th at 1pm Pacific Time. To register for the virtual “Meet the Artist” event email [email protected]. To find out more about the show visit www.thelangham.ca.


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Friday Virtual Gallery Walk for April 16, 2021

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Friday Virtual Gallery Walk

As part of our effort to continue to help artists and art galleries thrive, we’re proud to bring you this week’s “Virtual Gallery Walk.” Browse the artwork below and click the image itself to learn more about it, including how to contact the gallery.

Oil painting of clouds building up over stream
Rising Storm by Roger Dale Brown, Oil, 40 x 30 in.; Anderson Fine Art Gallery

 

Oil painting of a Coke bottle with a straw in a six-pack container
Coke Straw No. 2 by James Neil Hollingsworth (Born 1954), Oil on panel 12 x 12 in., Signed; Rehs Contemporary

 

Oil painting of people walking down the sidewalk on a rainy day in a city
Eglise St. Germain des Prés by Antoine Blanchard (1910 – 1988), Oil on canvas, 13 x 18 in., Signed; Rehs Galleries, Inc.

 

Oil painting of three sunflowers
Sunflowers by David Riedel, Oil, 28 x 17 in.; ArtzLine

 

Watercolor painting of a town mainstreet
Heading to the Session by John S. Dimick, Watercolor with pen, 16 x 12 in., 22.5 x 18.5 in. framed; Vermont Artisan Designs

Want to see your gallery featured in an upcoming Virtual Gallery Walk? Contact us at [email protected] to advertise today. Don’t delay, as spaces are first come, first served, and availability is limited.

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