In the mid 1970's, at the urging of a school instructor, Steve Kennedy began painting in the "plein air" tradition. He became committed to this way of working after moving to Cape Cod in 1981. He refers to his style as "painterly realism." Smaller paintings are typically completed in one session. For larger pieces Kennedy may return to the same site several times because of the constantly changing light and weather conditions, especially in the off season. Kennedy enjoys the challenge of painting outdoors year round; intense heat and sun in the summer, snow, wind and bitter cold in the winter. "One of my goals is to capture the luminosity of Cape light by working early in the morning or late in the day when color and drama are at their height", he says. In addition to capturing the light, another objective Kennedy has is balancing loose brushwork against the craft of drawing, especially as it concerns architecture and boats. Subjects are chosen carefully, with favoritism towards older more time worn themes - sometimes with a contrast of something new against it for a sense of realism. Kennedy's typical emphasis is on street and maritime subjects. In this world of constant change, older things that somehow 'seem more comforting' appeal to him. He is especially drawn to places where land and water meet - he considers these areas 'places of power.' Influences include the work of Edward Hopper, Frederick J. Mulhaupt, John Carlson and photographer David Plowden.

    Steve and his wife, Lucy, have lived on Cape Cod for the past 30 years. Kennedy's work has won a number of awards in open shows over the years, and is in many public and private collections including the permanent collection of the Cahoon Museum of American Art, New Haven Paint and Clay Club, Cape Museum of Fine Arts, Albany Institute of History and Art, Seamen's Bank (Eastham, MA), Wequassett Inn Resort, and the Key Bank and People's Heritage Bank (both in Maine, both likely renamed by now). Kennedy is represented by Kiley Court Gallery, Provincetown, MA; Left Bank Gallery, Wellfleet, MA and the Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT. He is also a member of the Lower Cape based Cape Cod Plein Air Painters and the North Shore Arts Association, Gloucester, MA.

stevekennedyfinearts.com
kileycourtgallery.com
leftbankgallery.com

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