Spotlight | American Impressionist Society

M Gallery of Fine Art
Charleston, SC, September 28-November 2

Nedra Smith, Gotcha Covered, oil, 24 x 36.

Nedra Smith, Gotcha Covered, oil, 24 x 36.

This story was featured in the October 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2013 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story!

After surviving a hostile reception to its first appearance on the Paris art scene in 1863, Impressionism rose in popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and today the genre is enjoying considerable popularity among artists and collectors. The American Impressionist Society was founded with the goal of promoting an appreciation of impressionism in the United States, and on September 28, M Gallery of Fine Art unveils the society’s 14th annual National Juried Exhibition, featuring over 160 artworks from society members. Show events include an opening reception and awards ceremony on Thursday, October 3, with judging by AIS Master Artist Kenn Backhaus, and a public reception on October 4. Here we introduce you to a few of the artists included in the show.

Barbara Churchley, Meander, pastel, 16 x 20.

Barbara Churchley, Meander, pastel, 16 x 20.

Inspired and mentored by both Ann Templeton and Walt Gonske, Barbara Churchley paints in oil and pastel, capturing the landscapes of her Colorado home and those of her travels. Valerie Collymore spent her formative years on the French Riviera. After a career in healthcare, she decided to pursue her artwork and today paints landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, where she now lives, as well as the European landscapes of her youth.

Lindsey Bittner Graham has immersed herself in the equine experience since she was a child in Louisville, KY. Today she pursues her love of horses in oil and watercolor works that capture their energy and spirit in loose brushwork and bold color. Kentucky-based artist D. Lee calls herself a late starter in artistic endeavors, having come to painting in her early 30s. These days she’s happiest surrounded by animals as she gathers reference materials for her horse and dog portraits and her wildlife and western paintings.

Landscape and figurative artist Susan Ploughe turned to oil painting after a career in design. She tries to approach each of her paintings—portrait, still life, or plein-air or studio landscape—with a fresh eye, without preconceptions.  After six weeks of studying figure painting in China and Tibet, Nedra Smith says she was hooked. She paints figurative works, rural landscapes, still lifes, and equestrian hunt scenes.

Ken Wallin operates a fine-art gallery on St. Simons Island in Georgia and captures the brilliance of light in landscapes and seascapes, café and market scenes, and still-life works. —Laura Rintala

contact information
843.727.4500
www.americanimpressionistsociety.org

Featured in the October 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art October 2013 print issue or digital download
Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!


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