Plein Air - Gulf Alliance for the Local Arts

Kevin Beers
Brooklyn, New York
www.kbeers.com
Academic: SUNY New Palz
 Arts Student League of New York
 Woodstock School of Art Instructor
Collections: Numerous private individuals
Memberships: Various
Publications: The Art of Monhegan Island (2004)
 Coastal Living (July 2005)
 American Art Review (July 2004)
 American Artist (May, 2000)
Statement: I only paint things for which I have a strong emotional attachment. When combined with plein air, you can gain a pretty intense experience of
nature.

Linda Blondheim
Gainesville, Florida
www.lindablondheim.com
Academic: University of Tampa
 University of South Florida
 Workshop instructor
Collections: N. Florida Regional Hospital
 SouthTrust Bank
 Sun Bank
 Synovous Trust
Memberships: American Society of Landscape Painters, Florida Artist Group, Group of Eight, International Plein Air Painters, Plein Air Florida, Southern Artists League
Publications: Ocala Star Banner - Plein Air Heads- 2005
 The Gainesville Sun- Linda Blondheim Landscape Painter-2005
 Gainesville Magazine- Visual Arts Edition - April 2006
Statement: The landscape is a huge challenge, particularly working on location. Each session presents new challenges including atmospheric conditions,
light, wind, rain, biting insects. I remember each painting experience because they are all unique.

Joy Bristol
Burbank, California
www.joybristol.com
Academic: Paier College of Art
Collections: The New Britain Museum of American Art
 The New Haven Paint and Clay Club
Memberships: Various
Publications: Washington Post (September 2005)
Statement: Working directly from life and nature is always my first choice. The subject is alive, breathing, changing…and I am attempting to form a composition, frantically, before the truck drives away, the frosting melts,
the flower wilts.

Gavin Brooks
Riderwood, Maryland
www.gavinbrooksstudio.com
Academic: Florida Atlantic University
 College of Notre Dame
 The Schuler School of Fine Art
Collections: Academy Art Museum
 Ladew Topiary Gardens Museum
Membership: Plein Air Painters of the Southeast, National Academy of Professional Plein Air Painters-Signature, The Loudoun Society Ten, Executive Member, Oil Painters of America 2001-
 2005, Laguna Plein Air Painters 2003-2005
Publications: Chicago Tribune
 Baltimore Sun 
 Plein Air Magazine, August 2005
Statement: There is a constant balance in working with what I am seeing in the moment and what I know to be true in absence of the evidence. Seeking truth in the sublime and painting in this realm is not about what I see in nature but more about how it feels when I am standing in it.

Frank Bruckmann
New Haven, Connecticut
www.fbruckmann.com
Academic: DuCret School of Art
 Ecole des Beaux Arts
Collections: Kehler Liddell Gallery
Membership: Various
Publications: Various
Statement: Though I have enjoyed painting the landscapes of France and Spain, I am now fascinated with the ever changing scenery of my own back yard.

Jane Chapin
St. Petersburg, Florida
www.janechapin.com
Academic: Kutztown University (Art Education)
Collections: Numerous private collections.
Memberships: Oil Painters of America, National Association of Women Artists, Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters, Plein Air New Mexico, Tampa Bay Plein Air Painters, St. Petersburg Plein Air League, and the Group of Eight.
 Publications: A Body of Work: Tampa Bay Artists Interpret the Figure
Statement: My paintings grow from a process of observing and interpreting light as it emerges from, surrounds and reflects on everyday people and scenes. They seek to remind us of the beauty of our common surroundings, regardless of where we are. Painting sensitizes me to look for the grace and dignity and order in what I see. My goal as an artist is to reinforce and restore that sensitivity to the viewer.

Gene Costanza
Eugene, Oregon
http://genecostanza.com
Academic: Self Taught. Workshops with Scott Christensen, Matt Smith, Kevin McPherson, Jeff Watts
Collections: Numerous private individuals
Memberships: National Association of Professional Plein Air Painters, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America-Artist Member
Publications: How did you do that? 100 ways to paint flowers and gardens
 Plein Air New Mexico, Richelson Art Books
Statement: I’m trying to do what every other painter is too: make a good painting, one that holds up, that hopefully stands the test of time. A painting that, when viewed, is recognized for the hard work that went into it, long before that brush hit the canvas. A work of art that as one painter said “Lifts the spirit beyond the mere making of a picture.”

Charles Dickinson
St. Augustine, Florida
www.charlesdickinson.net
Academic: Paier College of Arts
 Lyme Academy of Fine Arts
 Workshop instructor
Collections: Flagler College
 Hallmark Cards
 IBM
 NY Stock Exchange
 The Meadowlands
 United Technologies
Memberships: Artists Alliance of North Florida, Plein Air Artists of St. Augustine, Plein Air Florida, St. Augustine Art Association
Publications: Arbus Magazine
 Cape Cod Guide
 NBC Sports (PGA Tournament)
 Vermont’s What’s Where
Statement: My aim is to create paintings from the landscape and my imagination that capture my vision of the spirit and beauty of nature

Cynthia Edmonds
Winter Park, Florida
www.pleinairflorida.org/edmonds.htm
Academic: Florida State University
 University of Florida (MFA)
 Seattle Academy of Fine Art
Collections: Kiawah Island Collection
 Maitland Art Center
 University of Florida
Memberships: American Impressionist Society, Plein Air Florida, Oil Painters of America
Publications: Various
Statement: Using nature as inspiration, my goal is not to duplicate the scene, but to give the viewer the sense of being in the beautiful landscape. Painting “en plein air” is an exciting challenge to capture the ever-changing light and shadow.

Mary Erickson
Venice, Florida and Marshville, North Carolina
www.maryericksonart.com
Academic: University of Bridgeport
Collections: City of Venice Mainstreet Organization
 Panama City Mall
 Publix Corporation (Lakeland)
Memberships: American Impressionist Society, American Society of Marine Artists, Oil Painters of America, SPAA, and The Group of Eight
Publications: Venice Herald-Tribune (November 30, 2004)
 Captiva Chronicle (April, 2004)
 Home & Condo (April/May, 1999)
 Island Arts Magazine (Spring 1996)
Statement: I believe there will come a day when the only places we will be allowed a glimpse of true nature will be in the parks…we set aside today. I record
what I see, and I am passionate about the scenes I can immortalize on canvas.

Sally Evans
Dunedin, Florida
www.SallyEvans.com
Academic: University of South Carolina
Collections: Coca Cola
 Highland Animal Hospital
 P. Moore and Associates
 Tampa Bay Magazine
 US Airways
Publications: Tampa Bay Magazine (Nov-Dec. 2002)
 Tampa Bay Tour of Turtles Coffee Table Book (2001)
 St. Petersburg Times (2000-2002)
Memberships: Degas Pastel Society, International Society of Acrylic Painters
Statement: I enjoy creating bold designs through pastels, acrylics and mixed media in environments from the beaches of Florida to the deserts of New Mexico
capturing both landscapes and the creatures that inhabit them.

John Felton
Tallahassee, Florida
850-893-9391
Academic: Parson School of Design
 Art Students League, NYC
 Cleveland Institute of Art
 Carnegie Museum
 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
 Triton Museum
 Fechin Institute, NM
Collections: Numerous private individuals
Memberships: National Academy of Professional Plein Air Painters, Oil Painters of America, Portrait Society of America, Society of Gilders, Tallahassee Watercolor Society
Statement: My goal as a painter is to capture on canvas the soul and personality of a person, place or thing, more than just see what the eye sees. It demands accurate seeing of shapes and values, a clear understanding of color and distinctive brush work.

Martin Figlinski
Lynn Haven, Florida
www.martinfiglinski.com
Academic: Self taught artist
Collection: Numerous private individuals
Membership: Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Florida
Publications: Various
Statement: While painting on location, I'm aware of all of my senses, the sights, the sounds, the movement of the light, all of which come into play in the finished painting.

Hank Fleck
Tallahassee, Florida

Academic: Studied privately with William Schulz, Daniel Green, Albert Handell, and Flora Giffuni.
Collections: Camilla Chamber of Commerce
 Florida State University
 Philomath Art Museum
 Southern Bell Tower Collection
 Tallahassee City Hall
Membership: American Impressionist Society, Pastel Society of North Florida,
Publications: Pastel Artist International (July/August 2002)
 Coast to Coast, Gary L. Libby (The Museum of Arts and Sciences Center for Florida History)
Statement: Through my work I hope to convey to the viewer the excitement and joy that I feel when I am seeing and painting the wonder of nature and humanity

Elaine Hahn
Holiday, Florida
www.elainehahnart.com
Academic: University of Missouri (MA)
 Workshop instructor
Collections: Numerous private individuals
Memberships: American Impressionist Society, American Watercolor Society, Florida Plein Air Society, National Watercolor Society, Oil Painters of America
Publications: Best of Watercolor
 Best of Florals
 Watercolor Magic Magazine (Winter, 1996)
 U.S. Art Magazine, “Introductions of 29 Artists.. (August 1997)
 Splash 5: Best of Watercolor-The Glory of Color
 Splash 6: The Magic Of Texture (2000)
 Splash 7: The Qualities of Light (2002)
 Décor Magazine, “Biography Series” (July 2005)
Statement: The natural beauty of the coastal shoreline has always intrigued and amazed me…particularly the early morning and afternoon light, which
enhanced the colors, creating unique and interesting reflections and shadows.

Alison Hill
Monhegan, Maine

Academic: University of Rhode Island
 Lesley College (MA-Art Therapy)
 Rhode Island College (MA-Art Education)
 Lyme Academy
 The Art Student’s League
Collections: Numerous private collections
Memberships: Various
Publications: Newport This Week (August 2005)
 Cottage Living (June 2005 and July 2005)
 Newport Magazine (December 1999)
 Providence Journal (March 1999)
Statement: Painting has become my way of moving through this world, expressing and responding to what I feel and see. It is my interpretation, using color,
stroke, and line, to evoke the mood I’m receiving from the subject in front of me.

Mitchell Lee Kolbe
Tarpon Springs, Florida
www.mitchkolbe.com
Academic: Art Students League with Robert Brackman, Robert Schultz, and Jack Faraggasso
 Queens Collage
Collections: Robinet Art Gallery, Portofino
 His All Holiness, Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical patriarch: Constantinople, Turkey
 Kessler Collection, Orlando ,FL
 N.A.S.A. Space Center, Astronauts Hall of Fame, Cape Canaveral, FL
 Bay Hotel, Universal Studios, FL
 Celebration Hotel, Celebration Florida
Memberships: Artist Alliance of North Florida, Dunedin Fin Art Center
Publications: Coast to Coast: “The Contemporary Landscape in Florida”
Statement: Florida in the 21st century is posing quite a challenge to the contemporary plein air who seeks unspoiled Florida of yesteryear. Sleep little fishing villages are transformed in condo’s o the water, Wal-Mart’s are edging out the Mom and Pop shops and Disney has taken care of the old road side attractions. Local Shrimpers can’t compete with the Asian Market and every day our waters get more polluted as the little fresh water that’s left is succumbing to overdevelopment. I can’t paint it fast enough. Those Florida scenes that attracted me in the first place are rapidly being sold to the highest bidder and a way of life is disappearing before our eyes. My way to combat all this is to simply paint Florida the way I choose to remember her and let my art be a time capsule of the way I experienced the contemporary landscapes in my time and travels throughout this beautiful and varied State.

Kevin McNamara
Geneva, Florida
www.kavinmcnamara.us
Academic: National College of Art and Design (Ireland)
Collections: Irish Pavillion at the Seville Exposition
 Dayton Museum
 Petley Fine Art, Four Irish Artist Exhibition
 Jonathan Swift Gallery
Memberships: Various
Publications: International Artist Magazine
Statement: I am fascinated by the way in which light affects atmosphere and mood of a scene and hence our relationship to it. The colors, seen at a particular moment in time, becomes
the primary focus of my endeavor.

Larry Moore
Winter Park, Florida
www.larrymoorestudios.com
Academic: Self taught
Collections: Society of Illustrators in New York and Los Angeles.
 Central Florida Historical Museum
Memberships: National Academy of Professional Plein Air Painters-signature, Plein Air Florida-signature member, Fraser Fine Art, Beachside Art
Publications: Create Magazine, "Seeking Moore"
 Orlando magazine, “Painting the town”
 Communication Arts Design and Illustration annuals
 Print Regional Design Annual
 Step-by-Step magazine
 American Illustrators 22
Statement: Today, our beautiful planet is taking a beating through overdevelopment and abuse. I try to capture the grandeur of nature. To create reminders of peace and beauty. It's my way
of making a statement against destruction.

Gail E. Novak
Atlanta, Georgia
404/875-3126
Academic: Florida State University
 Workshop instructor
Collections: AT&T
 BankSouth, Inc.
 Delta Air Lines
 Emory Hospital
 Equifax Corporation
 Hyatt Regency
 UPS
 Wachovia Bank
Memberships: Atlanta Artists’ Club, Georgia Watercolor Society
Publications: Various
Statement: My main objective when creating a painting is to be able to convey the actual feeling of a scene visually, rather than its photographic reality.

Barbara Perrotti
Ormond Beach, Florida
www.barbaraperrottistudios.com
Academics: Paier College of Art, Ct.,
Other studies include such notables as Robert Brackman, Burt Silverman and Lois Griffel.
Art Related Activities: Weekly Instuctor, Art League of Daytona; Workshop Instructor, Speaker for Lectures and Demos, Juror
Collections: Museum of Arts and Sciences
National Infantry Museum
Ormond Memorial Museum of Art
Walt Disney World, Epcot
Memberships: International Plein Air Painters (SE Ambassador, Signature Member) : American Impressionist Society: Southern Ladies Art Conference and Plein Air Florida
Honors: Who's Who in American Art; Independant Professional Artist Development Grant Recipient; Appointment to the Volusia County Cultural Alliance Board of Directors
Publications:  " Artist Talks of Life, Painting" Laura Stewart, Fine Arts Ed., Daytona Beach News Journal;
"Up Close and Natural", Patricia Sporer, Garden Editor, Orlando Sentinal;
"Immediate Lingering- Artist Creates Moments" Dean Polling , Fine Arts Writer, Valdosta Daily News.
Statement: "To be an artist is a priviledge. I am forever fascinated with color, shapes and texture. They are like precious gifts that have been given me to convey what I feel about the world I live in".

Scott Powers
Chicago, Illinois
www.scottpowersfineart.com
Academic: American Academy of Art
 The Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art (Faculty)
Collections: Galleria d'Arte Bacci di Capaci
 Various private individuals
Memberships: American Society of Portrait Artists, Oil Painters of America (Board Member), Plein Air Painters of Chicago (Founder), Portrait Society of America
Publications: Various
Statement: Whatever the weather, there is always some nuance to be discovered.

Tom Sadler
Orlando, Florida
www.tomsadler.com
Academic: Auburn University
 University of Alabama, studied with Jack Dempsey
 School of Visual Arts
Collections: The Kessler Collection
 Grand Boheman Gallery
Memberships: Various
Publications: Various
Statement: I observe with the intention of capturing the essence of the landscape location where I've found something that was of particular interest. At times it might be more about how the
light plays on the subject. Or at other times it could be the atmosphere or the color that is interesting enough to paint about. To successfully communicate I feel like the canvas must have a sense of "coming to life" and in this way take on a life of its own.

Diane Scott
Hingham, Massachusetts
www.dianescottartist.com
Academic: Ecole Louis Riel
 Herts College of Art and Design (now Hertfordshire University, England)
 North River Arts Society with John Kilroy
Collections: Numerous private individuals
Memberships: The North River Arts Society
Publications: North River Arts Society Calendar 2005 Cover: "Fog lifting, Stonington"
Statement: My goal as a painter is to capture the essence of a moment in a very particular place. I prefer to work in a loose, painterly style. Oil painting is my first love because it has such
an infinitely variable surface quality and I like to experiment with different ways of being descriptive with my paintbrush or palette knife. I think composition and good drawing
are the underpinnings of a good painting but prefer not to be too literal in my vision. I like to distill things down to their essence and not put in a whole lot of detail.

   
Mary Jane Volkmann
Gainesville, Florida
www.maryjanevolkmann.com
Academic: Eastern Michigan University
 Hiram College
 Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Institute of Art
 Workshop instructor
Collections: Gamsberg Macmillan Publishers, Namibia
 Midgard Museum, Namibia
 Nampost, Namibia
 Royal Palace, Kingdom of Swaziland, Africa
 Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications
 Swaziland Philatelic Bureau
Memberships: Group of Eight, International Plein Air Painters, Plein Air Florida
Publications: Glimpses of Namibian Life: A Moment in Time (1997)
Statement: I work in watercolor, oil and acrylics, and approach each painting as if I were going on a trip to an exotic and undiscovered land.