It's very exciting for me
to be preparing for California to attend the Plein Air Convention & Expo in
Monterey. There I will also exhibit three paintings. Then my
plan is to honor the beauty of the Carmel peninsula, staying three extra days to
workshop in the area and paint in the stunning coastal natural reserve of Point
Lobos.
 |
Mary Agnes Yerkes,
California Impressionist Painter, (1886–1989).
"Plein-Air painting at Carmel’’, Carmel Beach, CA, circa 1920s. |
For an European like me,
with a background in the French Impressionism and the Italian Macchiaioli, it's
intriguing to engage with the nature and the southern bright light that
inspired the Early California plein air impressionists.
A Bridge Across
the Ocean
Ever since the early '900 the
connection with Europe was very tight. Painter Guy Rose, studied in Paris and
lived in Giverny 1904-1912, becoming friend and pupil of Claude Monet in person. A colony took home in Giverny and the Giverny Group was first recognized in the US with an exhibition at New York's
Madison Gallery in 1910.
After a decline lasting
three decades due to the rising of modernism and the Great depression, -- a
revival of the California plein air impressionism, took up in the 70's. In 1978
curator Nancy Moure released a Dictionary of Art and Artists in Southern
California Before 1930 and curated a retrospective exhibition for the Laguna
Beach Museum.
Continuing a
Glorious History
Now publisher and painter
Eric Rhoads is the enthusiast and proud promoter of the 3d Plein Air Convention
& Expo. With his Plein Air Magazine and many other activities, he highly
contributes to build up an integrated art industry and favor the cohesion of the
artists' community.
I'll fly a long way from
old Europe to be part of this history and make it a valuable step in my career.
Which I want to share with YOU! After the Convention, join me in Carmel to paint out in the week end 11
- 13 April. Just write to my email workshop@francescofontana.com to share a great time together!
Live in painting! Francesco
