Kim Lordier, “Ediza Morn,”

Every year since 2005 an intrepid crew of artists come together from all over California, and beyond, to trek the High Sierras, be inspired, and paint. In the first major installation of 2018, the Harrington Gallery at the Firehouse Arts Center will present “Granite Group: Plein Air Paintings of the High Sierras.” The exhibition opens…

…on January 12 and runs through February 17, 2018. A free public Opening Reception with the artists will be held on Thursday, January 11, from 7-9 p.m. Pieces will include plein air as well as works completed in studio that were inspired and/or begun on site. Harrington Gallery Director Julie Finegan notes that even sketch books are included in the exhibition.

“There are 26 artists participating in this exhibit who have been part of one or more of the annual events,” Finegan says. “Cooks wrangle the meals, and the artists spread out and paint to their hearts’ content.”

Kevin Courter, “Granite & Gold,”

Formed in 2005 by Bill Cone and Paul Kratter, the Granite Group has a mission is to deliver artists, including themselves, to the magnificent landscape, and let them do their thing.

Paul elaborates: “Each year in August about eight artists are invited to set out on a week-long painting adventure, packing in to a base camp along with our cook and provisions brought up by pack mules. We venture out on short day hikes or paint near the base camp. Subject matter can vary from the jagged peaks, boulder-strewn streams, twisted pine trees to camp life.”

Recognizable names in the Harrington installation include: Terry Miura, Kevin Courter, Kim Lordier, Suzie Baker, Lori Putnam, Michele Usibelli, Greg LaRock, and Jim Wodark. Granite Group co-founders Paul Kratter and Bill Cone will present a dual painting demo, plus a guided walk-through of the exhibition, on Saturday, January 20, from 11a.m.-1 p.m.

This article was featured in PleinAir Today, a weekly e-newsletter from PleinAir magazine. To start receiving PleinAir Today for free, click here.


2 COMMENTS

  1. Hello Andrew Webster

    I’m happy about every article and every picture showing “PleinAir Today”.
    That’s how I see the great skill of the featured artists.
    With the newsletter “PleinAir today” I get many suggestions for my own work.
    Thank you,
    Fritz Engelhardt

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