Painting "en plein air" has certainly gained momentum in the past few decades, but the act of painting outdoors has persisted through several art historical conventions. Perhaps the most "famous" is Impressionism, as the method was championed by big name artists such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Berthe Morisot. But before I get too into examples and name-dropping, what is painting "en plein air" in the first place?
It is likely that you've heard the term, and if not, here's a quick explanation. "En plein air" is French expression which means "in the open air" and refers to the act of painting outdoors. For the sake of time and convenience, these paintings or drawings are often small to medium-sized, and take on a loose and almost "fresh" complexion. Impressionism, therefore, is the logical fit stylistically. Artists painting "en plein air" seek to document the essence, therein creating an impression of a moment or short amount of time. Now back to the fun stuff...
When I think of the "challenge" of painting outdoors, I immediately think of two very important subjects within Monet's repertoire - haystacks and Rouen Cathedral. These paintings vary from dawn to sunset, and while the subjects differ only slightly, it is amazing to consider the amount of persistence Monet dedicated to a subject even greater than the architecture and landscape he visited so often: light.
Claude Monet - Rouen Cathedral - 1892 - 94
In organizing our show this month, I chose three local artists who have well-defined and unique styles and practice painting "en plein air" often. The three artists featured, including Kathy O'Leary, Philippe Gandiol, and Paul Ferney, have ventured outside the confines of their studios to capture the essence of the Northern California landscape for this show. Check out some of the work on display below:
Paul Ferney - Golden Gate Lookout
Kathy O'Leary - Coastal Pine
Philippe Gandiol - Downtown Trip
The show runs April 2 - 28, 2011. If you're in the area, join us for Second Saturday on April 9th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM!
