In August, PleinAir Today detailed a magnetic project titled #PaintItForward by watercolorist Dan Mondloch that earned major praise among our readership! After 50 paintings created, Mondloch is poised for a fantastic conclusion in Minnesota. Details here.
Funded by the Minnesota State Arts Board, #PaintItForward was a great community plein air project created by watercolorist Dan Mondloch. The project had Mondloch painting 50 watercolors in public locations around his hometown of Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Mondloch pledged to give away half of those paintings to onlookers, for free, who have a unique connection to the place being painted.
For Mondloch, the project was a way to call attention to a driving force in his art and, in particular, his philosophy behind plein air painting: the experience and character of place and importance of home. “It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is that draws me to a scene,” Mondloch said. “I’m sure it’s a number of both technical and intangible things, such as composition, large value shapes, light, and often that unexplainable spirit you feel from a space. I paint to re-create these connections, and, of course, if my viewers are able to see and feel that as well, it’s a great moment.”
Mondloch is wrapping up the project with an October 14 exhibition and sale of the remaining 25 watercolors at Gallery St. Germain in Saint Cloud. A viewing and presale of the show will take place from noon-2 PM. Mondloch will also be demonstrating his process from 1:30-3 PM. A reception will be held from 3-5 PM, with an artist’s talk at 4 o’clock. The exhibition will continue through October 28.
Incredibly exciting for the show is the fact that each of the recipients of the other 25 paintings have been invited to attend. As such, attendees will be able to discuss the project and — more importantly — the experience with those who benefited most from it. Fresh off his Best in Show honors at Plein Air Grand Marais, Mondloch will also be exhibiting 12 new studio and plein air oil paintings, his first ever showing in that medium.
To learn more, visit Dan Mondloch.
This article was featured in PleinAir Today, a weekly e-newsletter from PleinAir magazine. To start receiving PleinAir Today for free, click here.
