How Plein Air Painters Saved Art

Artificate

[ahr-ti-fuh-kayt] to talk about art in a manner that can be understood. (word origin: reidsart.com) How Plein Air Painters Saved Art

Art was in trouble...
Art as we know it has been in serious decline and the plein air movement has resurrected it. Artists and the public suffered a serious disconnect in communication during the 20th century. The majority of the public lost all respect for modern art after incidents like "The Piss Christ" and other scandals. In several art classes I was told to paint abstract because that was "real art" and realism was dead. Art was no longer communicating an idea, experience, or emotion. Many artists were focused on creating something different, and not considering whether it was worth painting.

People wanted to be artists without putting in the time to develop real skill. "Well, even I could paint that!" became commonly heard at exhibits. Art galleries turned their nose up at realist artists and the public wanting to buy it. As a result, the public turned their backs on the artists. The image of a starving artist became more prevalent. And then plein air painters staged a comeback....

What is plein air?

Christopher Reid painting at Wrightsville Beach, NC

Plein air is the practice of painting outdoor scenes in the open air on location. The practice was made popular by the French Impressionists. The art of plein air lost popularity in the 20th century as artists retreated to their studios and disconnected with realism and, as a result, lost the connection with their audience .

How did plein air save art?
The resurgence of plein air art is helping turn the tide and renew the public's appreciation for art. The average person has no idea what "plein air" even means, but they see artists out in public painting. What the artists are painting makes more sense than paint splatters to them. Many had bought the propoganda that realist art was dead and lost all interest. Now they see that realism is very much alive and some of the best artists around are plein air painting.

The renaissance of realism seemed to gain momentum in the late 90s. While it is true that some realist artists were already staging a comeback, they were working in their studios and looking for galleries willing to represent realist artists when the avant guard were saying they shouldn't, even if the work sold well. When artists began taking art out of the depths of their studio and letting the public feel involved in the creation process and see the skill required, there began a paradigm shift.

award-winning painting "Scattered Light" painted in Cary, NC

Plein air weeds out the frauds
When painting en plein air, an artist cannot fake their abilities. They cannot trace, project, grid, or print out their painting. They are reduced to using only their medium and their surface. The senses come alive and the painting must be finished quickly as the lighting is changing constantly. It is exciting to paint and exciting to watch. Plein air weeds out the pretenders and the public sees how amazing the creation of art actually is. Plein air artists capture realism independent of photography.

"Moonlight" plein air nocturne from Wrightsville Beach, NC

Plein air painters are rebuilding the art market
I went to an exhibition opening at a traditional gallery last night. There was nobody there. The gallery manager said that some other artists had stopped by earlier. They were preparing to close early. I have been to several openings where the turnout was dismal. In contrast, the plein air exhibits I have been in have had great turnout and I have even found them to do better in sales than many exhibitions of studio work.

While this is not always the case, there seems to be a pattern. Buyers connect with plein air artists and then go to their exhibitions. The marketing of plein air art is built in in such a way that the artist only has to be themselves. With the typical business model an artist paints in private and then hopes buyers will find out about their show and come buy something.

Plein air events are revitalizing communities
Plein air events have done wonders to increase art appreciation in communities all over the US. Arts organizations are recognizing the public interest in plein air and how easily they can organize a profitable event and sale to benefit their cause. Groups of artists are banding together and forming plein air groups.

Onlookers watch Christopher Reid painting in Fuquay-Varina, NC

Kiss a plein air painter today!
I paint in the studio as well as en plein air and I know that both take skill and dedication to our art. Whenever artists sell a studio painting, we ought to thank the plein air painters who are out in the trenches fighting to reignite a love of art in the community. Lovers of art should support plein air painters and their local art associations. Plein air is bringing the beauty of nature back into art. While plein air painters seem to have saved art from the rubbish bin, the battle is not over yet.










I welcome feedback from artists, art lovers, and anyone else wanting to artificate. Any questions, suggestions, critque or opinions are welcome. I love talking about art and I look forward to sharing with you.

Christopher Reid is an award-winning artist working in pastel, watercolor, acrylic,and charcoal. He paints all different subjects from coastal landscapes to wildlife to portraits. View his work at reidsart.com or email reidsart@yahoo.com