Plein Air Richmond – ARTFOODHOME.COM

"Midtown Afternoon" by Mark Lague — “Midtown Afternoon” by Mark Lague

I think Mark did a great job capturing that big city feel, don’t you? This is an impressive 60 x 60. Mark has a fabulous loose style that has a uniqueness to it… I love how the light is hitting the taxi and the fabulous colors in the road, especially where the sun hits. Whoa. This one really keeps your eye in the painting doesn’t it? I don’t know about you, but mine starts on the taxi, then travels up to the large TV on the building, to the top of the building on the right where the light is hitting… over to the oh-so-very-cool green traffic light, following the arm of the light down to the red on the building to the white parked car and back to the taxi. Where does your eye go? Paintings have so many aspects that are just so interesting… like this ‘keeping your eye in the painting’ deal… but it’s so true! Check out Mark’s website, it’s a nice one… He also has images from Plein Air Richmond 2013!

Read a blip about Mark from his website:

Mark has developed an international reputation and has won numerous awards, both in his native Canada and in the United States. A dedicated painter, Mark Lague was born in Lachine Quebec in 1964 and he has had a fascination with drawing since childhood, a skill he practices constantly, even to this day. Upon graduation from Montreal’s Concordia University in Design, Mark embarked on a 13-year career in the animation industry, working primarily as a background designer and art director. During this time, despite working full time, he began recieving international acclaim for his watercolour paintings through competitions, juried shows, and solo exhibitions. In 2000, Mark switched to oil as his primary medium, and in 2002 made the jump to full time painter. As an artist he is a realist, who is open to virtually all subject matter. What keeps him excited about painting is his endless quest to simplify and get to the essence of whatever he paints. Mark has been featured in numerous national art magazines, and continues to recieve international recognition for his distinctive style of painting.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Plein Air Richmond started yesterday, but you’re in luck… it goes through Saturday, June 15, 2013! There are so many fabulous artists involved in this event, if you’re anywhere near Richmond, VA you won’t want to miss it! Above is a list of artists for 2013 from the Plein Air Richmond Facebook page.

From the Plein Air Richmond website:

Plein Air Artists from all over the United States will meet in Richmond for one amazing Week in June to create paintings in support of the Richmond Symphony.

A Week-Long “Painting Out”: June 10-13, 2013 – Click here to view daily locations
Watch the 45 specially juried plein air painters set up easels all over our historic city create hundreds of paintings.

Ticketed Collector’s Preview Sale and Awards: June 14

Exhibit Continues at Brazier Gallery June 15 and June 16

“Fast and Fresh” : June 15
Location: 1800 Block of Monument Avenue. Three blocks around the Lee Monument.

On Saturday from 9 am – 11am juried and non-juried artists will start and complete paintings. These “wet” paintings will be available for purchase right off the easels with proceeds benefitting the Symphony.

This is an amazing opportunity… Steve Doherty (editor for Plein Air magazine, one of my all time favorites) is a judge. This man knows art… he is amazing! This will be an outstanding event, one I wish we had in Charleston, SC. With our strong art community, why not?

Here are just a few of the oh-so-talented artists that will be part of Plein Air Richmond:

Ken DeWaard

This guy can paint anything. He is a joy to watch and makes painting look so easy! Each and every stroke is deliberate, he transforms a canvas… watch for him if you go! He also has some fabulous workshops coming in the future, so keep an eye out if you’re interested in that sort of thing! He has a great entry on his blog about this painting!