Posts from ‘Plein Air’
Painter Greg McHuron will open the 2011 Grand Teton Association’s Artists in the Environment Plein Air Summer Series on Saturday, June 11. McHuron will give a public painting demonstration at Grand Teton National Park’s Chapel of the Transfiguration, 4-7:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
Plein air painter Greg McHuron co-founded the program with landscape artist Conrad Schwiering, and has been painting in the Western United States for over 35 years. Represented in galleries and museums throughout the West, he is a signature member of the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painter Association and Artists for Conservation.
McHuron’s masterful triskaidekatych mural, a 13-piece painting depicting the region’s wildlife and habitat, graces the walls of the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor’s Center in Jackson, Wyoming. As viewers follow the mural, they can follow the footsteps of an elk herd on the run and imagine their trumpeting call. Wetland and riparian habitat are drenched in rust and honey browns of fall; waterfowl and moose partake of the stream, yellow aspens gobbling up
their horizons. An aspen grove, surveyed by a great horned owl and guarded by a bull elk. Climb into the sagebrush and grasslands, to the timberline and snowy cliffs where big horn sheep crest the mountain’s rise. At the pinnacle, snow buries all but a giant grizzly on top of the world, caught in purest sunlight and blue sky.
McHuron paints en plein air in locations ranging from northern Alaska to the Grand Canyon. His work is part of the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s permanent collection.
“I prefer painting…en plein air as the drama and excitement that occurs all around me is difficult to recreate in a studio environment,” notes McHuron. “When I paint the rapidly changing scenes, I put into each of them the feelings and excitement that I felt while watching the scene unfold. Years of watching, analyzing and learning from nature’s school ground has helped me to understand the interrelations between organic and inorganic entities and how different lighting, seasons and locations affect how they look and react. If I can capture that particular feeling, I know that those viewing my works will come to feel some of the emotions and excitement that motivated my wanting to record this particular fleeting moment.”
I will be on hand to moderate the event. See you there!
For information, contact Tammy Christel: tammy@jacksonholearttours.com. Grand Teton Association: 307.739.3606
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The National Musuem of Wildlife Art’s 2011 Out of the Box Show takes place June 24, 2011. Doors will open at 5:30 pm, and the auction begins at 7:00 pm. A display of boxes up for sale is on exhibit beginning Saturday, June 11, 2011, in the Museum’s Wapiti Gallery. Auction proceeds benefit the Museum’s educational programs. Light hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and prizes. www.wildlifeart.org
The Grand Teton Association’s Summer 2011 Artists in the Environment Plein Air Summer Series schedule is set. Beginning Saturday, June 11, 2011 and continuing each second Saturday in July, August, and September, the series offers the public an opportunity to join noted plein air painters as they capture the beauty that is Grand Teton National Park. This year’s artists are Greg McHuron, Greta Gretzinger, Scott Christensen and Erin C. O’Connor.
Look for those artists in these locations this summer:
Greg McHuron~
Date: June 11, 2011
Location: Chapel of Transfiguration
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Plein air painter Greg McHuron co-founded “Artists in the Environment” with landscape artist Conrad Schwiering, and has been painting in the Western United States for over 35 years. Represented in galleries and museums throughout the West, he is a signature member of the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painter Association and Artists for Conservation. McHuron’s latest book, Birds of Sage and Scree, co-authored with Jackson ornithologist Bert Raynes, illustrates and explores bird species native to the sage and scree of America’s West.
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Greta Gretzinger~
Date: July 9, 2011
Location: Mormon Row
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm
Greta Gretzinger is known for her large scale murals depicting wilderness landscapes and wildlife. Based in Idaho and the Jackson Hole area, Gretzinger’s lively and illustrative portraits of Western life appear in public spaces and local parks throughout the region.
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Scott Christensen~
Date: August 13, 2011
Location: Cathedral Group
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm
One of the country’s most distinguished plein air artists, Scott Christensen’s work is part of Grand Teton National Park’s Craig Thomas Visitors’ Center prestigious permanent collection. Christensen’s paintings are included in significant national venues, such as the National Academy of Western Art, Prix de West Invitational at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, OK, the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, OK, National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY, Denver Art Museum, Kimbal Museum, Salmagundi Club in New York, Autry Museum, and the Salon d’ Arts at the Colorado History Museum.
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Erin C. O’Connor~
Date: September 10, 2011
Location: String Lake
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm
Artist Erin C. O’Connor finds her greatest inspiration by painting directly within the environment. Noted for her participation in many prestigious Plein Air events, she is represented in collections and exhibits throughout the country. O’Connor was awarded the 2009 Joshua Tree National Park “Artist-in-Residency” post.
For more information, contact….moi! Tammy Christel. tammy@jacksonholearttours.com 307.690.1983
This is cheating, but I’m sure Erin O’Connor will forgive the indescretion. I’m going to repeat other people’s comments about O’Connor’s latest successes. She’s on the short list for a certain summer plein air event, but I’m not allowed to tell you about that quite yet.
It’s cheating even more to boil down a description of Erin’s light to this: She paints like Dixon. O’Connor is not as well known (yet) as I think she should be, but that may soon change. Notices and awards are piling up, the latest being an article featuring the artist in Spring 2011′s issue of Plein Air Magazine. The article, “Living Lightly and Painting Boldly,” describes O’Connor’s artistic learning process, talks about her mentors and the life she lives as a plein air artist; a life that dictates small spaces, creative use of time, flexibility and an ability to swiftly capture landscapes that capture her. Fine examples of the artist’s work are depicted. Here’s a comment from O’Connor’s Facebook page:
“As a plein air painter who also lives out of his vehicle, when necessary … I can really relate to you, and your approach to the direct-study of landscapes. And SUCH beautiful images … you have a perfect eye for developing the sweep of your compositions [no cameras necessary]. Your article confirms what I suspected the moment I first saw you ‘working’ that morning at Winter Park … when you paint, you are in ‘direct conversation’ with the natural world. Never let anything keep you from your work and workplace … you set a high example for the rest of us! Thank you for sharing your experience.”- Williamson Tapia
O’Connor was selected as the 2009 Joshua Tree National Park Artist-in-Residence. Congrats on all past and presents successes, Erin.
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Hot Glass, Cold Beer, Be Here.
Friday, March 25, blow yourself to a fun evening with the Teton Art Lab Glass Gang. The latter is hosting its first fundraiser at Jackson’s newest arts venue, the Factory Studios. $20 gets you in and goes to support the non-
profit Factory mission. Artists Danny White and John Hogan will be executing a “hot glass performance” and you can probably leave the party with your own piece of hand blown artisan glass.
Oh, says Travis: “Free Beer!”
The party starts at 6:00 pm, ends at 9:00 pm. ONLY fifty (50) tickets are available, and that ensures a good time to be had by all. No crushed glass. Call Rob Hollis at 307-248-1785 or respond on FB to reserve tickets.
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This is just fun. I did not know the National Museum of Wildlife Art had this link to play with.
If you click here, you will find a neat art exercise. “Create a Composition with Carl Rungius” explores basic art principles; famed landscape painter Tucker Smith leads you through the game. The home page I found bobbled back and forth like a seesaw; balance is a component of strong paintings. You can review a series of principles or just jump ahead to creating your own “painting.” A nice interactive project, an enjoyable addition to NMWA’s interactive offierings.
This week’s NMWA ”Art Alive @ 12:05″ features demonsrations by sculptor Sandy Scott .
“There’s a special place in my heart for Jen Hoffman’s art. To me, she’s one of our valley’s most accomplished plein air painters. Hoffman works with a limited palette; but to simply label her a Tonalist underserves her exceptional mastery of light. Hoffman’s landscapes are quiet, still heavens. Her canvasses transcend computing successful color formulae — imperative to execute but potentially static. Hoffman’s works are lyrical. One can know the definition of a word, but not its heart. Hoffman has discovered color’s heart.
Art is inquiry. Alfred Steiglitz noted that his career as a photographer was motivated by intense experience, a relentless drive to merge with the world. ‘All of me is in the centre [sic] of that thing, digging into the centre’s center,’ he wrote. Do pay attention to Hoffman’s light. There is her center, that shining mirror. Senses engaged, she translates Pennsylvania’s transcendent, pastoral light to the West. No visible fracturing here. Hoffman’s light flows, fluid and yielding.
We react differently to Jennifer Hoffman’s art than we do to other Western landscape paintings. Pass a vibrant, brilliant plein air work under my nose, and I’m as revived as a dizzy boxer inhaling smelling salts. But Hoffman’s landscapes drift towards me, searching me out like a dream.” ~T.C., Introduction to “Passage,” 2009
“Resonance,” Jennifer Hoffman’s inaugeral show as Trio Fine Art’s new partner, opens Thursday, February 10, with an artist’s reception 5-8 pm. The show is on exhibit at the gallery February 9-19, 2011. Gallery hours are Wed.-Sat., noon to 6pm, during the show. www.triofineart.com 307.734.4444
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By now you’ve probably read the disheartening–but not unexpected–news about Americans for the Arts national arts index statistics. What is an index? I think of them as a representative measure or comparison of …variables. An index can also be a measure of strength or weakness.
There are many articles on the National Arts Index results, but the L.A. Times’ January 24, 2011 article summed the situation up well. The index measures arts across the board. Here’s an excerpt from that article:
“The index for 2009 is 97.7, the lowest in the 12 years of data on which the index is calculated. Based on 81 separate measures of how Americans spend and donate their money and time, and how artists (broadly defined) fare as workers,
the index seeks to reflect the health not just of the so-called “high” arts dominated by nonprofit organizations but also the commercial arts — movies, pop music and concerts, books and the market for visual art.
The highest index score, 103.9, was achieved in the economic boom years of 1999 and 2007. The index uses 2003 as its baseline year, with a score of 100.”
Indexes measuring strength or weakness don’t take ingenuity into account. Jackson’s arts ingenuity index is strong, displaying great potential for growth in the coming years.
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Speaking of ingenuity, have you heard about Miami Beach’s hot public space? It’s a garage. I wish I could show you a photo. Can’t, because it’s expensive. But I was able to post a link to the New York Times story on my Linkedin page. This architectually dynamic, space-age garage is utilized as much for public gatherings as it is for parking.
Not a winter option for Jackson’s public garage. But summer? Oooh……revenue.
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C.I.A.O. Gallery’s 4th Annual Naturally Nude exhibition is open to all artists using any medium. Submission deadline for this show is January 28, 2011. The show opens at the gallery on Valentine’s Day. For more information log onto www.ciaogallery.com.
One of Jackson’s finest plein air and studio landscape painters, Jennifer L. Hoffman,will become a partner at Trio Fine Art. The new affiliation becomes official January 1, 2011.
Trio Fine Art represents the work of Jackson artists Lee Carlman Riddell, Kathryn Mapes Turner and September Vhay. Montana artist Russell Chatham is also represented at the gallery. And although there will now be four painting partners at the gallery, the gallery’s name will not change.
“I am thrilled and honored to have this amazing opportunity,” says Hoffman. “These three women are artists of the highest caliber and the utmost professionalism. I am excited to be a partner in an artist-run gallery, and to be inspired and motivated by the work of Lee, Kathryn, and September.” To introduce Hoffman as the gallery’s new partner, Trio will host a solo exhibition for Hoffman February 9-19, 2011. An artist’s reception will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2011.
“I am so excited for Jen to join us at Trio! She will add a great deal, from the vibrancy and authenticity of her paintings, to her work ethic, to her joyful laugh,” says Riddell.
Hoffman is one of the region’s finest landscape painters. The Jackson Hole Art Blog has followed her career, and I’m proud to have written the introduction for Jen’s book featuring her work; we were also mentioned in an article on Hoffman’s work in Fine Art Connoisseur (see below). The number of notices of Hoffman’s skill as an 
artist continually grow. In addition to her local participation and representation in such venues as the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival and the National Museum of Wildlife Art, her exhibitions include the Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Reflections in Pastel National Juried Exhibition, the Pastel 100, and Masters in Miniature at the CM Russell Museum.
Recent awards include an Award of Excellence at the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters’ 2010 National Exhibition; Best of Show in the First Annual International Autumn Arts Painting Challenge; and 3rd Place in Landscape in the 9th Annual Pastel 100 sponsored by the Pastel Journal.
Many national fine art magazines cover Hoffman. 2010′s May/June issue of Fine Art Connoisseur listed her in their feature “Artists Making Their Mark: Three to Watch”; and her work has been featured in Western Art Collector, The Pastel Journal, American Artist Magazine, and the Jackson Hole Magazine, among others. Hoffman is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, and also holds memberships in the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters, the Oil Painters of America, and the American Impressionist Society.
Trio Fine Art is located at 545 N Cache St. and is open Thursdays from 12-6 during the winter season, with extended hours during Hoffman’s show. www.triofineart.com
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Astoria Fine Art has new works in by Netherlands artist Ewoud de Groot and Western artist Greg Beecham. Lots of new work coming into the gallery, says owner Greg Fulton. Check out the new works this holiday season! Both artists tend to have new work sell quickly. Winter-themed paintings by such artists as Scott Christensen and Clyde Aspevig are available. The gallery hosts a Holiday Reception, with special guest Beecham, on December 30, 5-7 pm. www.astoriafineart.com
Horizon Fine Art is highlighting the bright and joyous paintings of artist Sarah Rogers. Rogers has exhuberant, colorful portraits of wildlife on exhibit–cardinals, bison, and big Christmas bears. Stop by the (still pretty new!) gallery space on King Street, across from Shades Café. 307.739.1540 www.horizonfineartgallery.com
MADE, where artist John Frechette hangs his hat and fused glass, will donate 25% of all sales he rings up on Monday, Dec. 20, 5-8 pm to the Art Association. Check it out in Gaslight Alley; look for the canopy of festive holiday lights!
CIAO has extended its deadline to December 30, 2010 for artists interested in entering CIAO’s exhibition “New Year’s Resolution,” a show inspired by new beginnings, growth and promises to yourself or others. Visit www.ciaogallery.com for more info.
Tom Mangelsen and Sue Cedarholm hold their Winter Solstice opening reception showcasing their new photographs and paintings on Tuesday, December 21—under that full, freshly eclipsed, moon. Images of Nature Gallery, 5-9 pm.
Stop by the Art Association Lobby on Tuesday, December 21, 4-6 pm, for a tea-and-cookies reception for ArtSpot artist (Charlie Brown shirt!) Suzanne Morlock. (I have enjoyed all ArtSpot installations, but this giant metallic t-shirt is the most successful to date. It’s unmistakable, stands up to weather, is highly visible, fits time and place, and is a universal symbol imbued with multiple messages. And, it has humor. Congrats!) Info: 307.413.1800.
A Trunk Show from Kyrgyzstan featuring felt toys, hats, slippers and other gifts to warm the soul remains at the American Legion Hall through December 24th. Hours are 11 am - 7 pm; located on the corner of Gill and North Cache. 307.733.3082. 
