Thirty painters recently spent three days painting Olana, the house and grounds of Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church, and four came away with prizes.
 


“Painting at Olana,” by Robert Masla, 2015, oil. First Place


Patrick McPhee’s effort earned him Second Place


Kendra Schieber asked two girls to pose for a few minutes while she painted them in this garden scene at Olana. It earned her Third Place.


Rosemary Hanson
 

The event was called “Creating Landscapes Within the Landscape,” and it culminated in an auction of select pieces and a tent sale of the other paintings done by the invited artists. Robert Masla won First Place for his piece “Painting at Olana.” Patrick McPhee won Second Place, and Kendra Schieber took Third. The People’s Choice award was a tie, with both McPhee and Robin Guthridge sharing honors.
 


The entries in “Creating Landscapes Within the Landscape,” moments before the auction


Steven James Petruccio paints the barns at Olana, which is located just outside of Hudson, New York.


Danielle Kelling concentrates on her piece.

 
Several artists expressed the desire to paint on the grounds of Olana every day of the year, and the 250-acre estate offers enough views to keep a painter busy that long. From iconic views of the Hudson River to quiet moments of slanting light streaming through a wooded area, the assembled artists had a smorgasbord of motifs from which to choose. Church’s house itself was a tantalizing subject, with its Italian-villa lines and Persian decoration.
 


Frederic Edwin Church’s distinctive mansion at Olana


Richard Lisle


Bob Bahr paints the sunset light above the Hudson River at Olana.
 

The event was sponsored by the Columbia County Council on the Arts and the Olana Partnership. The winners were chosen by Bob Bahr, editor of PleinAir Today.
 


LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here