Stepping Out

"October Day with Genevieve" - This painting, done in 2007, was done looking at the back of the cider mill, from Sylvia's porch. Jan and Roberta and I had gone out to visit with Genevieve, and we all set our easels up all over their property. The day was cool at first, smelled just like fall; winter certainly coming and all that that would bring.” By Catherine Gill.

This is one of a group showing of en plein air painting now on exhibit at the Frances Anderson Center.

Genevieve Tuck enjoyed painting on location, known as en plein air painting. She posed and answered her own question many times, “Why would anyone want to be a plein air painter? For me, it is the exciting experience of taking a blank canvas, a portable easel, a small box of paints and brushes, and then producing a painting that has never been done before.”

Regarding the value of painting in this fashion, she stated, “It is the fleeting, changeable nature of light that makes it necessary to paint rapidly; whether it is a brilliant sunrise, sunset or the approaching moonlight.”

Artists who painted with her agree, and there were many who would trek with her to a painting location and enjoy the experience.

The Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation and the City of Edmonds Arts Commission are pleased to present the work of regional artists who delighted in the opportunity to join Genevieve Tuck on location to paint. Featured artists include Catherine Gill, Faye Castle, Hita von Mende, Jan Wurn, Roberta Crawford, Joan Pinney and Anni Leedy.

Most of the works that will be exhibited were done during excursions with Genevieve. The artists have been asked to provide comments about the experience of painting in this style and of painting as a group.

Those comments will be included with the work for patrons to contemplate.

Catherine Gill comments: “Painting on location needs a determination, a speed, a "feel" for a place; finding some landscape that you just know will give up its colors and shapes and lines, if only you can get it. The place is so much more than what you see. You stand, connected to all this, and need to summon up the courage to just start making the marks. If you are blessed that day, and determined, a painting will surface. Genevieve taught me that.”

Roberta Crawford remembers “right from the beginning she was an inspiration to us all. No matter where we painted, in the mountains, in a pasture by the barn or at the dock among the boats, she could create outstanding compositions and no matter what the weather was like, she’d press on.”

The exhibit opens Tuesday, February 2 and continues through Friday, March 12.

Genevieve Tuck’s artistic spirit remains with all those she touched – painters, patrons, friends and family. She passed away at 100 years of age in August of 2008.

The Edmonds Arts Festival Museum gallery and the Edmonds Arts Commission display case are located in the Frances Anderson Center, Main Entrance - 700 Main Street, Edmonds. Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday – closed. Information 425-771-1984 or 425-771-0228.

Visit www.eaffoundation.org and www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/ArtsCommission/ for more information on programs and exhibits. In addition, a listing of websites for this talented group of regional artists is available on the museum page of the EAF Foundation site.