Yes, you read that right! I've heard
of extreme sports and extreme makeovers, but extreme outdoor painting? This is
a first for me. But when plein air artist Cory Trepanier told me that he had
made a trek to paint the far reaches of the Canadian Arctic--a land of icebergs
and permafrost and tundra!--I wanted to know more.
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Trepanier had an amazing view of Arctic--and chose to record those sights
in photos, film, and numerous plein air paintings. |
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Trepanier is an artist and filmmaker who has a keen passion
for the wilderness. He has gone on three excursions to the Canadian Arctic and
documented his expedition in two films and more than 1,000 photographs, but
what's most intriguing is that he managed to create a collection of
plein-air oil paintings while there. That's amazingly inspirational to me! To travel to the edge of the world into
unknown territory and have enough presence of mind to take out his plein air
easel and get to work? I'd be too busy shaking like a leaf from excitement (and
cold!). Trepanier harnessed the energy of his environment and the power of this
once-in-a-lifetime event into works of art that bring the Arctic--a place so
awe-inspiring and, for most of us, out of reach--up close.
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Trepanier based several large studio paintings on the plein air sketches he created while on his treks.
Above, Great Glacier, study by Cory Trepanier, 16 x 6, oil on linen, painted at Coronation Fiord,
Baff in Island, Nunavut, Eastern Canadian Arctic. |
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Trepanier plans to create a collection of
50 fine art oil paintings based on his
Arctic plein air paintings. |
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Be sure to follow Cory's progress as he shares every step of
his arctic painting journey on Artist Daily.
Here's the first installment about
how this plein air painting quest began! And whether you are ready to take on
extreme outdoor painting, or you're like me and want to start with a nearby
park or backyard,
Plein Air Painting with
Watercolor is a key resource for you. This
eBook provides detailed
information on mastering the medium in the great outdoors, and includes three
step-by-step painting demonstrations, and tips on how to go from a painting
sketch to finished work. Enjoy!
