Plein Air Art Podcast · PleinAir Magazine

Aimee Erickson on Understanding Composition, and More

September 12, 2024·1 hr 12 min·2 clips

A woman watching said, 'I'm watching you paint and I understand the Cézanne.'

Eric Rhodes interviews internationally renowned oil painter Amy Erickson about her creative practice, upcoming book (Plein Air Techniques for Artists, featuring 50 contributing artists), and the plein air movement's evolution. Amy shares transformative bicycle journey across America (age ~30, 6 months off to find identity), discusses early oil painting at age six, and explains her teaching philosophy emphasizing realistic expectation-setting for plein air beginners. Discusses hard truths: plein air painting is difficult; ocean-swimming-level challenge; requires foundational skills. Describes recent achievement: live painting at Portland Art Museum during Monet to Matisse exhibition, positioned next to Renoir and Cézanne, which enabled visitors to understand modern masters through watching live process. Book features contributions from artists known for specific techniques (edges, light, composition). Discusses upcoming events: Realism Live online, Plein Air Convention (May in Lake Tahoe/Reno, 80 instructors, ~12th year, 60-65% sold out).

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