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From November 3 to December 2, a special Artist in
the Garden “plein air” art exhibit at forARTSake celebrates
artists painting in a local North Country garden. The public is
invited to attend the Artist Reception on Saturday, December
4 from 4 to 6 PM in the upstairs gallery. The reception is open to
the public and provides an opportunity to meet the artists and
discuss the artwork in the show.
The concept for Artist in the Garden
originated nine years ago. It began in a discussion around a dinner
table with Charles Atwood King and Tim Fortune, a local artist from
Saranac Lake. King shared his idea of inviting artists to come
together on one day in the summer and painting plein air.
That same summer the first plein air event occurred with a
few fellow artists in the gardens of the King home. After the second
year, it officially became Artist in the Garden, and King and
his wife Karen Lamitie-King opened their home and gardens to artists
of all genres throughout the North Country. Over the years, more
days have been offered to accompany a larger number of artists.
Several years ago, Diane Leifheit also became involved in the event
and opened her gardens for plein air painting. With
more days available for artists to visit the gardens, increased
interest, and the annual Artist in the Garden exhibit, over 50
artists have been inspired to participate.
The Artist in the Garden theme is to capture
some aspect of an Adirondack garden on a summer day with the
artist’s choice of media. Ideally, each artist begins and finishes
the image in one day… rain or shine. However, depending on the media
and the length of time required to complete a particular piece, the
artist may continue to create beyond the particular plein air
day.
This year’s event took place mainly during two days
at the Leifheit’s gardens near Paul Smiths. These gardens have been
cultivated and nurtured for over twenty-six years. The frequent rain
during this past summer made them particularly spectacular. The
gardens were full of luxurious perennials and annuals
creating a visual paradise that the
artists found exhilarating and challenging to interpret.
The first day of Artist in the Garden
was an early summer day in June that offered brilliant color and
deep shadows for the
working artist. The second day was a rainy day in late August, but
the artwork that resulted reflects the texture of wet leaves,
intense late summer colors, and thick green foliage.
Each image in the 9th annual Artist in the Garden
exhibit captures a moment, a glimpse of an Adirondack garden either
in early June or late August. Beverly Quenville states, “We proudly
present the plein air art of Artist in the Garden, an
increasingly sought-after
and popular event. The show captures the moods and mystery of the
Adirondack garden both in vibrant color and in the subdued light and
beauty of a rainy day.”
This unique art exhibit will be at forARTSake from
November 3 to December 2. The public is invited to the artist
reception in the upstairs gallery on Saturday, November 4 from 4 to
6 PM and is encouraged to visit forARTSake any time during business
hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 to 5 and Saturday from 10 to 4. The
timeless beauty of an Adirondack garden will be evident to all those
who attend. |
