What was so enticing to the Impressionists that they suffered ridicule, poverty, and hardships in order to paint the light of France. causing a movement which could be said to be the start of modern art as seen today?
Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, Bazille, Morriset and Cassett, Manet, and Degas are famous for their way of painting. These artists were spontaneous in capturing their immediate impressions onto canvas. As Boudin influenced Monet, so do these Masters of Impressionism offer inspiration for us and all painters today.
Whether a child visits a local gallery or major museum, he or she may be given the opportunity to see the wonder of paint on canvas capturing the essence of light in its natural setting. More and more, artists are finding excitement again in this style of painting known as “plein air”. They are outdoors in nature with pastels, oils, crayons, watercolor and brush, canvas and sketchbook in hand, to capture the light of just that moment! Many artists join “plein air” groups and travel around the world to experience the pleasure of interacting with other artists in painting the local scenery. Whether urban or rural, mountain, lake, and country road or city towers, painting from morning to the fading light of dusk; it’s about the moment, that first touch of “awe”, when the artist thinks I must try to record this myself and for others.
As a total aficionado of Impressionism and American Post Impressionism, and I am thrilled to see the resurgence of this form of art and artist interaction. It can involve a community or perhaps just that one individual who might not walk into an art gallery or museum, but will stop and look when they see someone standing at an easel painting something that is to them, just an “everyday” view. It is that curiosity of the act of Art which can bring people together.
Many art organizations with local community support are sponsoring Plein Air events. These events can be with regional, national and/or international artists so this way of painting that began with the impressionists in the 1870’s is definitely making a comeback onto the contemporary Art Scene.
One of my favorite places for “plein air” watching is Park City, Utah. In fact, the latest fundraiser of the Kimball Arts Center; Celebration of the Arts, took place the last weekend of July right next door in Hever, UT at the Red Cliff Ranch. The ranch hosted live music and sixteen Plein Air artists from the state, who were painting the scenery on site at the Ranch. All sales from the two days of painting at the festival brought in revenue to the artist and for future projects at Kimball.
So keep your eyes open for that painter with easel in hand and watch with wonder as the magic of outdoor painting in place, as it takes place!
