About Plein Air Painting Styles and Techniques

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Traditional watercolor artists start out by laying  transparent washes onto their canvas. In artwork of this medium, the white page not only shines through the paint, the parts of the painting not touched by an artist's brush are creating in themselves interesting "negative space" effects. Watercolor painting embodies the essence of transparency and fluidity. With delicate strokes and the interplay of water and pigment, it captures the luminosity and ethereal nature of its subjects. The subtle blending and layering of colors create a gentle and atmospheric quality, evoking a sense of tranquility and harmony. The unpredictability and spontaneity of the medium lend a unique charm, as the artist embraces the flowing nature of watercolors. From delicate washes to intricate details, watercolor painting invites the viewer into a world of softness, where colors dance and blend with grace, revealing the artist's mastery of both control and letting go. 

 Traditional watercolor is an ideal medium for capturing animal portraits and depictions of everyday life due to its unique qualities that enhance the authenticity and charm of these subjects. The translucency and fluidity of watercolors allow for the delicate rendering of fur, feathers, or the intricate details of animals' features. The layering and blending techniques in watercolor painting enable artists to achieve a sense of depth and texture. Moreover, watercolors beautifully capture the fleeting moments and subtle nuances of everyday life, effortlessly conveying the spontaneous and ephemeral nature of ordinary scenes. The gentle washes and subtle gradients achievable with watercolors lend themselves perfectly to the soft lighting and atmospheric effects that often characterize these depictions. Whether it's the warmth of sunlight streaming through a window or the play of shadows on a quiet street, watercolors infuse these everyday moments with a sense of tranquility and evoke a nostalgic sentiment.

Any traveler to Midwestern towns will recognize the many "Craftsman Style" homes that grace residential streets of small and larger towns alike. This architectural tradition, that was popular especially between 1900 and 1930,  had its roots in the British "Arts and Crafts" movement of the 1860s. The textiles, home furnishings, wallpapers, stained glass windows etc. of British artists like William Morris have long been considered a perfect match to decorate interiors of American Craftsman style homes. The appreciation for British artists like Morris is as in fashion today as it was 100 years ago. 

The collection shown here takes its inspiration from  William Morris and the British Arts and Crafts school. However, it reinterprets it with distinctly American motifs. This style is characterized by a deep appreciation for the beauty and harmony of nature. It seamlessly weaves organic motifs and botanical elements into its designs, inspired by the flora and fauna found around the lakes of the American heartland. With meticulous attention to detail, these pictures capture the essence of the natural surroundings, translating them into intricate patterns and vibrant color palettes. This art celebrates the interconnectedness of all living things, reflecting a reverence for the natural world. It invites viewers to immerse themselves in a world where nature's beauty and serenity are elegantly translated onto the canvas, fostering a deep sense of connection and appreciation for the environment.  .

Impressionism originated in the late 19th century, primarily in France, and sought to capture fleeting moments and sensations through the use of light and color. Impressionist artists, such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Camille Pissarro, aimed to convey the immediate visual impression of a scene or object. They often painted outdoors, en plein air, to observe and capture the transient effects of light, weather, and atmosphere.

In terms of the depiction of nature, impressionists focused on representing the play of light and its effects on the natural world. They employed loose brushwork and short, visible brushstrokes, allowing the viewer's eye to blend the colors and create a sense of luminosity. Colors were often applied directly onto the canvas without extensive mixing, resulting in vibrant and harmonious compositions. Impressionist paintings typically featured scenes from nature, such as landscapes, gardens, and water reflections, with an emphasis on the beauty of the momentary and the atmospheric.

The pieces in this collection have been inspired by Vincent van Gogh. His unique painting technique bridges the realms of impressionism and expressionism. He employed bold and vibrant brushwork, applying thick layers of paint onto the canvas with fervor. His brushstrokes possessed an energetic quality, capturing the essence of movement and emotion. Van Gogh's use of color was revolutionary, as he pushed the boundaries of traditional palettes, opting for intense and heightened hues to convey his innermost feelings. Through his masterful technique, he sought to evoke an emotional response in the viewer, transcending mere visual representation. Van Gogh's art encapsulates the spontaneity and immediacy of impressionism while delving deeper into the realm of expressionism, where he explored his own psyche and the raw human experience.  His style has never gone out of fashion and is still employed by plein air painters today.  The pieces in this collection bring the techniques that Gogh pioneered to the setting of American lake life in the 21st century. 

Finally, we are featuring a collection that we have simply named “Modern Art” – for lack of a proper description. The phrase “modern” is somewhat of a paradox, as about a century has passed since these works shocked their contemporaries. It is a mix of European, mostly German, mid-century influences that we have brought to depict American lake life in the heartland – almost a century later. 

German Expressionism (1905-1933): German Expressionism emerged in the early 20th century and lasted until the early 1930s. This artistic movement prioritized the expression of intense emotions, subjective experiences, and social critique. Artists such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Emil Nolde utilized bold colors, distorted forms, and expressive brushwork to convey inner feelings and reflect the anxieties of the modern world.

Cubism (1907-1914): Cubism, which emerged in 1907 and thrived until 1914, was a highly influential art movement. Pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, it revolutionized artistic representation by breaking down objects into geometric forms and challenging traditional notions of perspective and representation. Cubist artworks depicted multiple viewpoints simultaneously, highlighting the subjective nature of perception and exploring new ways of capturing the essence of the subject.

The Blue Rider Group (1911-1914): The Blue Rider (Der Blaue Reiter) group, active from 1911 to 1914, was an artistic collective founded by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc. It aimed to create a new visual language that emphasized spiritual and emotional aspects of art. The group promoted abstraction, symbolism, and the use of vibrant, non-naturalistic colors to evoke emotions and connect with the viewer's inner world. The Blue Rider artists believed in the transformative power of art and sought to break free from societal constraints.

Bauhaus (1919-1933): The Bauhaus, founded in 1919 and disbanded in 1933, was a revolutionary German art school. It aimed to bridge the gap between art, craft, and industry, advocating for the integration of design into everyday life. Led by Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus embraced modernism and emphasized functionalism, geometric forms, and innovative use of materials. It produced influential artists and designers such as Marcel Breuer and Wassily Kandinsky, fostering a new approach to design and architecture.

These movements emerged during the early 20th century and collectively played a significant role in reshaping artistic conventions, challenging traditional forms, and exploring new approaches to representation, abstraction, and the relationship between art and society. Therefore, the term "Modernism" can serve as a broad umbrella concept that encompasses these diverse styles and movements, highlighting their shared pursuit of innovation, experimentation, and a departure from established artistic norms.

The result is a remarkable artistic style that revolves around the interplay of light and color, creating captivating visual experiences. Our collection embodies a harmonious fusion of elements from these diverse artistic movements. Light dances across these canvases, illuminating forms and imbuing them with a captivating vitality. Vibrant and contrasting colors intermingle, creating visual symphonies that captivate the eye and stir the soul. These vibrant hues imbue these works with a sense of energy and evoke a range of moods, from serene tranquility to exhilarating dynamism. Admirers of Paul Klee and Lyonel Feininger will find several pieces that have tried to pay homage to the color choices and painting styles of these two artists.

Paul Klee (1879-1940): Paul Klee, active from the late 19th century to 1940, was a Swiss-German painter associated with various art movements, including Expressionism, Surrealism, and abstraction. Klee's artistic contributions lie in his unique approach to color, form, and composition. He created imaginative and symbolic works, often incorporating elements of humor and playfulness. Klee explored the relationship between music and painting, aiming to create visual harmonies that resonated with the viewer's emotions and intellect.

Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956): Lyonel Feininger, active from the late 19th century to 1956, was an American-German artist associated with multiple artistic movements, including Cubism, Expressionism, and the Bauhaus. His artistic contributions lie in his distinctive fusion of geometric abstraction, expressive brushwork, and a masterful treatment of light and color. Feininger's works often depicted architectural subjects, capturing the interaction between man-made structures and their environment. He created dynamic compositions that conveyed a sense of movement and energy, leaving a lasting impact on the development of modern art.