Just Go Looking

Plein Air Inspiration in a Minute

“When I go out, I don’t think ‘mountains’ or ‘beach’; I just go looking. I let my eyes wander and accept shapes and colors that combine to form inspiring abstract compositions. Those abstract shapes host reality.”
— Kevin Macpherson
(“Beyond the Paintbrush,” Plein Air Magazine, Aug-Sept 2020)

More from Kevin Macpherson:

Compositionally I am stimulated by natural impressions. For example, a simple rock inspires me to see endless unexpected 3-D compositions. The rock will spur my imagination to see things I could not even imagine, and the same goes for the composition of a landscape painting. You could have 368 paintings all of the same subject, all different compositions, all different light and atmosphere effects captured with the three colors I use. The arrangements and harmonies my mind could not invent, but if I am consciously aware and awake to see these natural phenomena I can create endless unique compositions.

Why do I do it? Because I have no other skills! It is truly the only thing I ever thought of doing and if I don’t create every day I feel restless and incomplete. I believe it is my purpose in life to see and accept the stimulation that comes to me and also be able to share that with others in the many forms of the actual artwork and my opportunities to teach others to see. To teach one to see and learn the visual language of an artist can truly change one’s life for the better.

This Just In:

Artist Kevin Macpherson is about to change the way you paint — and see — forever! And the best part … your paintings are going to improve. The first in a new series of videos from Kevin, this video is going to immerse you in Kevin’s Magic Grid system so your painting life can become easier and more fun. With over 40 years of painting experience and as the author of four art books and several art instruction videos, Kevin is here to guide you through his painting process and take your art to the next level.

Preview Kevin’s brand new workshop, “The Magic Grid: Landscapes,” here: