2010 Exhibitions:

“Chasing the Morning and Evening Light”

Cape Cod Conservatory of Music & Art
Route 132, Iyannough Road, West Barnstable, MA 02668
Open on weekdays 9 – 5 thru August 27

Phill Thompson will demonstrate painting en plein air

Wednesday July 21 at 3:00 PM
The public is invited to attend

http://www.capecodconservatory.org/

Conservatory 508-362-2772

* * *

“Painting the Changin Light”

Cultural Center of Cape Cod
307 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA 02664
Wednesday, November 3 – Sunday, November 28, 2010
10 – 5 PM

OPENING RECEPTION:

Friday November 5 from 5 – 7 PM, the public is invited

For further information please call Robert Nash 508-394-7100

http://www.cultural-center.org/events.htm

"Painting the Changing Light" is a constant in the life of an outdoor painter. "Plein air" originally described French Impressionist paintings. Claude Monet was the leading painter of this style, painting en plein air throughout his long life. Soon, this Impressionist style of painting was adopted in America, particularly in New England and southern California by groups of itinerant artists who would work quickly and move readily from site to site.

The Cape Cod Plein Air Painters follow this tradition. A significant number of paintings in oil, pastel, and watercolor, painted on location throughout the seasons on Cape Cod, will be on display in the spacious main gallery at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth. Meet the artists at the reception on Friday, November 3 from 5 – 7 PM.



EXHIBITION HISTORY
Cultural Center of Cape Cod   South Yarmouth, MA   May 2009
Marion Craine Gallery   Orleans, MA   August 2009
Cape Museum of Fine Arts   Dennis, MA   June – July 2008
Small Works Show, Gallery 31   Orleans, MA   August 2006
Small Works Show, Gallery 31   Orleans, MA   August 2007
Founders’ Show, Creative Arts Center   Chatham, MA   May 2006
Member Show, Old Selectman’s Building  Barnstable, MA  October 2005

About Cape Cod Plein Air Painters...
The term "plein air" emerged with the Impressionists during the 19th century. Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes, a painter and academic, wrote an influential paper in 1800 in which he stressed the importance of completing outdoor studies quickly and directly, without developing the detail of an exhibition painting.
Speed was essential to capturing a convincing effect, so de Valenciennes insisted that his students complete all studies from nature within two hours. If the effict was to be a sunrise or a sunset, the study was to be completed within 30 minutes! This still holds true for contemporary impressionists.
Cape Cod Plein Air Painters evolved in 2004 when several local professional artists decided to paint together on a weekly basis, to observe directly from nature, and to share ideas and expertise. The group travels to a different site each week, in all four seasons, to document a moment in time.