Plein Air Painter's US Open

The 4th annual Plein-Air Painter's US Open will be September 8th - 12th on Whidbey Island in Washington State. For me, this is an exciting event. Most plein air events are invitationals, meaning that you have to be a member of a club or clique to participate. Some would argue that it's about quality but that says to me that it's about accepted technique. I bring this up because yes, you can judge technique but, I do not believe you can judge the emotion an artist gives to his or her work. That emotion is what fine art is all about. (there I go again, defining art) ;-)

The US Open was established four years ago by landscape painter James Moore, a Montana transplant now living in Washington. This event allows everyone the opportunity to compete. There is a judge in the end but, not to get in. That removes the mutual admiration society from blocking the flood gates. Each year it has grown larger and larger with artists coming from all over.

If you live close by, I would encourage you to be a participant or voyeur to this event. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the work of these artists. In the end there will be a Gala with a silent and live auction. Yours truly will be participating as well.

see: www.pleinairopen.com

The two images on this post were my attempts from this past week.
www.alfredcurrier.com

Attic Gallery, Portland Oregon

I'm proud to announce my association with the Attic Gallery in Portland Oregon. For many years, Portland has been a great "art town". Attic Gallery has served Portland since 1973 and has a great stable of artists of which I'm delighted to now be a part of.
See: http://www.atticgallery.com/ and click on my name under artists.


http://www.alfredcurrier.com/

Impasto

Summer has mostly been saved for painting en plein air but the studio called me back in for a little impasto painting. From the vantage point of this composition, tulips are not grown.

Along the levy of the north fork of the Skagit River, Mount Baker peeks over the top, an awesome but subtle depiction on this clear day. In reality, the foreground is covered with blueberries but, being literal is not what I am about. Representaton comes second to texture and color. Truth is more feeling than fact.

The finished painting here is 36"x60" so when compressed in a photo, you cannot see the texture(impasto). This is the reason I have also posted the closeup shown below.

http://www.alfredcurrier.com/