Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)There is a very nicely written short history of the "plein air" movement including its recent US resurgence. The book is based on an exhibition in Santa Fe which included about half of the work contributed by invitations to nationally known "plein air" artists. The rest were juried pieces with the Juror being Peggi Kroll-Roberts, also nationally honored for her work.
The range of styles is interesting and broad, and the sheer talent represented in the exhibition defines the plein air genre for much of the country, specifically the Southwest where it is a vital and vigorous genre.
Each artist has one painting and a brief statement. The statements are quite wide ranging and insightful with representation by artists who can be called "national treasures" (like Debora Paris and Albert Handell) and new talent from coast to coast.
It is a refreshing change away from "how to", which can be found all over the planet, and serves as a coffee table book for art lovers, plein air art lovers, art students, collectors and buyers as well as a showcase of this moment in plein air in this country. The book is a gift to the art community, which sorely needs building up in the US, and demonstrates another step toward representational art and classic skills defining artwork after decades of absence from national attention.
Reproduction quality is excellent and deliciously evocative although it doesn't really convey the work as I saw it on the walls in Santa Fe. And, of course, the problem with scale of work is shifted from a wider range at the exhibition.
In summary, it's a stimulating book and represents some of the best established powerhouses as well as the newest talent in this arena. Buy it and look deeply at the oil, pastels and watercolor work showing locations and emotion from the Southwest and beyond. Not limited to New Mexico work, it invites appreciation for the land and human components it it.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Plein Air New Mexico- The Jack Richeson Fine Art Series Volume One
Plein Air New MexicoThe Jack Richeson Fine Art Series Volume 1Edited by Maggie PriceEn Plein Air is a French term that can mean "out of doors " "open air " or even "fresh air." All of these terms fit the practice of painting the landscape outdoors from liferather than in the studio from reference material.Plein-air paintings have a fresh energy and lively feeling that separates them from most studio work. A skilled plein air painter somehow translates not only the beauty of the landscape to the surface of the paintingbut some magical alchemy that incorporates a touch of the windthe heat of the sunand perhaps even an echo of birdsong. All good paintings portray the essence of the subjectbut plein air paintings give the viewer an experience of the subject.Some of the artists names in this volume will be familiarbut many will not. It is publisher Jack Richesons goal to bring attention not only to excellent work by prominent artistsbut also to include excellent work that has not previously been recognized. The range of styles and subjects vary widelybut all are outstanding art.Through the eyes and artistic vision of seventy two artiststhis volume of work will take the reader on a journey through cities and countrysidespure unspoiled landscapes and man made structures or objectsall en plein air.145 pageshard cover with dust jacket11-3/4 inch x 8-1/4 inch
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