For more than a quarter of a century Matt Smith has been
painting the landscape of the southwest and has received prestigious
recognition for his work, including the Robert Lougheed Award at the Prix de
West Show, the Red Smith Award from the National Museum of Wildlife Art and
both Best of Show and Artistic Merit awards at the Western Rendezvous of
Art.
In return for all the guidance given him in earlier years by
contemporary landscape masters, he devotes time for workshops and seminars.
"After learning so much from artists I deeply admire, I feel a
responsibility to pass it on to others. I hope in some small way this
contributes to keeping traditions alive. Also, teaching helps me
convey my personal ideas and values about art."
Matt is one of the most sought after instructors, with his
workshops selling out months in advance. The idea of an instructional
video seemed like a natural progression. So here's your chance to spend
about 1 1/2 hours venturing with him into the Sonoran desert where he will
take you through his process of painting outdoors.
Far more than a “how-to” show, the Plein Air,
Painting the American Landscape Series is a celebration of our natural
world, a visual retreat to our nation’s beautiful places and an
exploration of the rich and colorful history of American
landscape painting. From the founding of the Cape Cod School by
Charles Hawthorne in 1899 and gathering of the Taos Society of
Artists a few years later, to location demonstrations by
today’s leading landscape artists, viewers will discover the
roots of this uniquely American art form and why painting “en
plein air” is once again at the forefront of American
representational art.
Three nationally acclaimed plein air artists,
Matt
Smith, of Scottsdale, Arizona,
Kenn
Backhaus of Robesonia, Pennsylvania, and
Jean
LeGassick, of Silver City, Nevada, paint Alaska’s Mt.
McKinley, North America’s tallest mountain, and the expansive
wilderness landscape of Denali National Park.
Viewers join Smith on location for a brief painting
demonstration and a glimpse into the training, technique and
thought processes necessary to paint a successful plein air
painting. And the adventure and risks of painting in the wild
become evident when a blond grizzly arrives uninvited, and sends
the artists scurrying.
A visit to the Anchorage Museum presents the astonishing
mountaineer and artist, George Brown, and the paintings he
created while climbing Mt. McKinley as a member of the 1947
Bradford Washburn Mt. McKinley Expedition.
The Tongass Rain Forest, en Plein Air
Plein air artists, Smith, Backhaus and
LeGassick, travel to remote Southeast Alaska to paint the
Tongass Rain Forest, renowned for its towering old growth cedar,
hanging moss and incessant rainfall. This episode features a
demonstration by
Jean
LeGassick, who proves that it takes tenacity, gear, and
considerable know-how to paint in a rain forest.
Jean shares her personal experience on her road to becoming a
professional artist. And her colleagues prove there are
struggles and obstacles in every endeavor.
Professor Kesler Woodward examines Laurence’s life and art in
the context of modern times. The majesty of the Kenai landscape,
the fun and camaraderie amongst the artists, and their pursuit
of the rich heritage of landscape painting on location in Alaska
creates a memorable viewing experience.
Seward, Alaska, en Plein Air
Kenn
Backhaus leads the trio of visiting artists to Seward,
Alaska and its beautiful Resurrection Bay, gateway to Kenai
Fjords National Park. With the towering Chugach Mountains as a
backdrop the artists find inspiration in a derelict boatyard.
Kenn demonstrates his approach to painting en plein air, and
discusses the influences that shaped him as an artist.
The activities of today’s artists are examined in context with
earlier nationally known Alaskan plein air artists and
adventurers, Eustace Ziegler and Ted Lambert. Professor Kesler
Woodward provides commentary and examples.
Viewers are introduced to iconoclastic painter of Mt. McKinley,
Sidney Laurence, whose paintings, created in the early 1900s,
have come to epitomize the Alaska landscape.
VOLUME II
Product ID
Description
Price
Cape Cod with Charles Sovek, en Plein Air
Nationally known Connecticut artist, author
and educator,
Charles Sovek, takes viewers to his summer home and studio
on Cape Cod. Highly engaging, Charles shares his life as an
artist and the perspective 50 years of experience brings to
painting en plein air.
Viewers will discover the rich history of the Provincetown
artists’ colony, from the founding by Charles Hawthorne in the
late 1800s, to the arrival of Hans Hoffman and the abstract
expressionist. Commentary and examples are provided by Chris
McCarthy, Director of the Provincetown Art Association and
Museum, and James Bakker, author and art expert.
Peggy Sovek, Charles' wife, shares her family’s history and
relationship to Charles Hawthorne at the family’s “Red House.”
And Charles demonstrates art in the making with a painting
demonstration on the docks of the Provincetown boat harbor.
Taos en Plein Air, and the Taos Society of Artists
Contemporary plein air artist,
Ron Rencher, is featured in this episode and introduces
viewers to the rich and colorful history of Taos, New Mexico.
Following a brief biographical sketch, discover how the Pueblo (Tewa)
Indians, the Sante Fe Railroad and a group of academically
trained, highly skilled artists from the East Coast came
together to give birth to the Taos Society of Artists and
artist colony that remain active today.
This episode takes viewers to the Taos Pueblo, still inhabited
after a thousand years, and the E. I. Couse Studio – the
remaining in-tact studio of the Taos Society of Artists. The
program concludes with a painting demonstration by well-known
plein air artist, Ron Rencher, painting the autumn colors in the
Sangre de Christo Mountains.
Trinidad, Colorado, en Plein Air, and the California
Impressionists
Watercolorist and oil painter,
Frank LaLumia,
shows his command of both mediums with an on-location watercolor
demonstration as he paints the historic buildings of Trinidad,
Colorado, then painting in oils at Three Ponds Farm in Central
Michigan. Frank also shares insights into his life as a
professional landscape artist.
Jean Stern, Executive Director of The Irvine Museum, author and
art historian, provides historical insights to plein air
painting in America and introduces viewers to works by William
Wendt, Guy Rose, Alston Clarke and the California Impressionist
plein air artists featured in The Irvine Museum collection.
Special Introductory Offer -
Limited Time Only
Buy Volumes I & II together and save $10.00!!
Product ID
Description
Price
Plein Air, Painting the American
Landscape Series (Volumes I & II)
39.95
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Last modified: March 5, 2005
