5 Gardens and Green Spaces

“I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.”
— Claude Monet

Once a strictly agricultural or aristocratic endeavor, gardening grew in popularity among the middle class around the 19th century. Average people poured their newfound leisure time and resources into designing and tending their own gardens simply for the pleasure they provided. They were especially popular with the Impressionists, whose vivid color sense, broad brushstrokes, and appreciation of nature paired perfectly with the garden as a subject.

Today’s painters continue to find joy and inspiration in gardens and green spaces of every description.

5 Gardens and Green Spaces

“This southern garden is near my home and it’s just loaded with azaleas during the spring,” says Catherine Hillis. “This is also the spot where John Wesley preached when he first came to America. History and flowers equal joy to me.”

Plein air painting of a garden
Catherine Hillis, “Wesley Gardens,” 2020, watercolor, 19 x 15 in., Available from artist, Plein air
Plein air painting of a park
Joan Vienot, “Turkey Creek Park,” 2019, oil, 9 x 12 in., Available from artist, Plein air
Plein air painting of a garden
Susie Hyer, “Summer Jewels,” 2017, oil, 12 x 12 in., Available from artist, Plein air
Painting of a garden
Rick J. Delanty, “Garden Highlights,” 2020, acrylic, 12 x 16 in., Collection the artist, Studio

“The roses of Nantucket, especially in the historic Sconset section of the island are legendary,” says John Caggiano. “They explode in their glory every June, along with the most beautiful hydrangea to be found anywhere.”

Plein air painting of a garden
John Caggiano, “Summer Roses,” 2005, oil, 12 x 16 in., Private collection, Plein air

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