November 2017
November Artist’s Profile: J. R. Baldini
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Mary Williams Fine Arts
2017 Customer & Artist Appreciation Party
December 7th from 5pm-8pm.
The show will run through January 2018.
This painting will be available:
©Five Points
Hollyhocks
5311 Western Ave, Unit 112, Boulder,
Colorado 80301
(303) 938-1588
https://www.marywilliamsfinearts.com
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Installation
Waterloo, Ontario
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Artists Profile: J. R. Baldini
You and I
have never actually met. But I have “known you” for a few years now but as I
look at your Bio, website, etc. I realize I don’t know you at all! I think we
both became interested in art at the young age of about 10. Where did you study
art and with whom? Was there a pivotal moment for you when you knew you would
be an artist for life?
I was
sent at the age of 10 to Munson- Williams- Proctor Institute School of Art
in Utica, NY that became part of Pratt Institute in NYC, where I was able to
use real oil paints...in grade school, I was the 'school artist'. That got me out
of a lot of classes and seemed like A GOOD GIG. lol
My parents were my angels.
I was very fortunate to meet
a wonderful watercolorist on Monhegan island, when my
parents sent me there for a 2 week workshop as a birthday gift. He became my
mentor and friend for the next 30 years. At the time, he was writing a book
"Watercolor Bold and Free" and his last book, "My Life in
Watercolor" was published posthumously. His name was Lawrence C.
Goldsmith, AWS.
You hold
the degree of Master of Photography, earned for the excellence of prints in
International competitions and educational achievements, from the Professional
Photographers of America and the Craftsman degree earned by publishing
articles, teaching and presenting educational programs to other professionals.
Tell us how you came to be an artist and photographer.
I
first got thrown into photography when my sisters and I decided to start a
business. After a year or two, my middle sister decided she didn't want to be a
photographer anymore. I became a reluctant photographer.
I pursued it professionally
and earned degrees and awards from the American Society of Photographers and
Fuji in Tokyo. A few years ago, I was awarded lifetime membership from the
Professional Photographers of America, for whom I taught workshops to
professional photographers on the island of St. Lucia in the West Indies for
eight years and was a program presenter for the PPA National Convention in New
Orleans.
Did you
pursue photography and art simultaneously? Which is your first love?
Painting is my soul,
photography is a job I do. Both are connected in that they help me to
communicate and connect with people on an emotional level. I think of them as,
language without borders.
What was
the best advice you ever got?
More
of a silent affirmation, instead of advice, my parents brought us up to feel
that there were no limits to what we could do, but we had to assume
responsibility for our choices.
What
percentage of your paintings are oil and what percentage watercolor? How do you
choose to do oil or watercolor? Do you prepare to go out with either setup?
My
love of watercolor came about as an attempt to move away from my classical old
masters style of oil painting and was also when I started painting outdoors.
Watercolor is a very intuitive medium (that's a whole other interview) but I
was able to quickly loosen up and ultimately put my oils away for almost 25
years. When I pick up my watercolors now, I usually do a session that can
last a month or longer. I like to immerse myself in the luxury of watercolor
play. It's more of an open mode play.
Marina_7.5x9.5-WC
Christmas Cove-14x20 WC
How much
of your painting time is spent Plein Air and how much is in your studio? You’re
such a busy lady; how much time do you actually get to paint?!
Studio
painting at this time is pretty much just finishing what was painted on
location.
Tell us
some of the many awards you have won and which was the most meaningful to you?
Awards
are nice in the moment, but quickly forgotten. I like to live in the now (as a
famous book said not too long ago and if you ask me 'what's going on?’ - I
answer pretty much like everyone else – 'not much', though my days are very
full with the life I chose and yes, Mom and Dad, I take responsibility.
Well this
is fairly recent and you’re so modest that I will post this:
“I
had the honor of being inducted into the Niagara Falls Arts & Culture
Wall of Fame along with Director James Cameron, of AVATAR and TITANIC
fame. I was especially honored to be included with the names that make up the
Wall of Fame. VIDEO HERE”
I thought this was awesome! And
you spoke so well.
You
conduct workshops on Monhegan Island, Maine every
year. And painters return every year. What draws you there to paint every year?
“I
could paint Monhegan for another hundred years”
How many workshops/years have
you done this annual trip to Monhegan?
I've been painting Monhegan since the 70's. It feels as if my soul lives there
and I can only be away for so long before I need to revisit it.
I've been presenter for the Art & Visualization Retreat with a clinical
psychologist for 12 years.
Lobstercove_Monhegan_Island22x28
Oil
Love this
piece, Lobstercove! The abstract elements are
wonderful and the colours are so beautiful.
Thanks,
Leslie.
Night Light oil
on canvas 8 x 8 The Sun Also
Rises (The Red House) 6 x 8 Oil on canvas
A little “plug”:
10 Secrets to a
Great Workshop Experience ?
I love your
paintings of Niagara Falls! Makes me think of home (Ontario). I just think they
are magnificent.
“Niagara
Whispers” 8x8 oil on linen
Overcast Day at Niagara – 12x12 oil on linen
Northamerican_Icon_12x24
Oil
November_Niagara_Falls-7x7 Oil
(
I painted this with an Amex card when I forgot my brushes one day at the Falls
'don't leave home without it' lol)
You are
the Executive Director and Founder of International Plein Air Painters.
What
compelled you to set up this International group of Plein Air Painters?
It was
the Fall of 2001 – we had just come through one of the most horrific events in
NY, US history.
As I
sat in Niagara Falls, Canada glued to the TV, I was inconsolable as I watched
my beloved NY and fellow Americans in an unbearable tragedy. It was days after
that, that I decided I would not put off things I deeply cared about. As a
Plein air painter, I did not fit into any art groups in Canada and the groups
in NYS were all regional – clearly this called for erasing borders. And I so
remember the excitement, also nervousness as I pushed the button to create the
first internet group. I named it International Plein Air Painters. And I am
humbled for the support, encouragement and the wonderful artists I have met
from around the world, who both make up the membership and interact with the
membership. There have been no egos, no disagreements, nothing negative in the
16 years IPAP has been around.
After
the very first Paint Out, there were new Plein air groups formed worldwide by
artists finding each other and painting 'out in the open air' our new French
title of Plein Air Painters!
I am
blessed and grateful to have been an instrument in this movement.
(Statement
of Purpose
International
Plein Air Painters is a blanket organization created for the sole purpose of
advancing the execution and enjoyment of Plein air painting without the
restrictions and limitations of borders or regions.
Membership
is restricted to Plein air painters, those serious to learn about Plein air
painting and those who wish to be benefactors advancing the Plein air movement.
)
Prince
of Wales 12 x 12 Oil on
panel
Crabapple Blossoms 6x6 Oil on deep gallery wrap
(Hotel
in Niagara-on-the-Lake)
“So amazing with our group of artists to be going into
IPAP’s 16th year.”
Truly!
I know
how you feel! We started our “Plein Air Artists Colorado” PAAC back in the
early 90’s and it is amazing to see it still going strong.
And you organized the first International
WORLDWIDE ‘paint out’ for Plein Air Painters Globally in September 2003.
I first heard of IPAP in 2008 when I was invited to take part in the IPAP World
Tour. I was really honored at the time to take part! I was in the shows at the
Cultural Arts Center, Estes Park, Colorado; the Old School House Art Center, Qualicum Beach, BC; and Terrace Gallery, Orlando, Florida.
IPAP went on to do shows in St. Augustine, The Link Gallery in Door County, WI,
the Karpeles Museum in Newburgh, NY and The New Century
Gallery in NYC.
I also
set up some Plein air paint outs in Rocky Mountain National Park with IPAP and
PAAC for WORLDWIDE paint out day. It was fun and drew Plein air painters
unaffiliated with PAAC. What a great idea this was! You really think BIG!
Tell us
how the Worldwide paint out works.
The
International Plein Air Painters Great WORLDWIDE Paint Out started small in
2002 and went on to include worldwide locations in 2003. The purpose of the
worldwide Paint Out back then, was twofold. One was to help Plein air painters
find each other (and that was a great success) and the second was to help
artists get recognition in their own communities by tying into a worldwide
event.
Each
location is welcome to register their group on the IPAP public website. There
is no fee to register. Artists looking to join a location or set up a group
simply fill in a form and the information becomes public.
While the
event is hosted by International Plein Air Painters as an umbrella group, each
location is its own entity and run as a simple paint out; a paint out with
events such as exhibits, quick draws or awards.
Some
artists register and paint alone. The event is artists painting all over the
world on the same weekend. It's that simple. In September the Great WORLDWIDE
Paint Out dates are September 7 – 9, 2018. The registration page is up
and running in February each year, as groups start to plan their events.
Tell us
something we don’t know about you!
I
promote organizations, events, members, but am shy to approach galleries
because the last two in North Carolina and Wisconsin that I was represented by
closed and did not return my paintings.
What’s up
for you in 2018?
I have
a workshops newsletter that updates locations around the end of November each
year.
2 day
workshop in Sarasota/Anna
Maria Island March 1 & 2
Workshop
website: www.permissiongranted.org
The Monhegan workshop dates, Niagara dates will also update in
November.
Monhegan
Island workshop is about using your art as a communication tool. Our clinical
psychologist assists with creative visualization techniques to help
participants find their painting voice.
Emphasis in the workshop is
about growing as an artist, while experiencing the magical light and energy of
the island, long known to artists for centuries. Come with an open mind and
leave with a full heart. Truly, "The Island That Time Forgot" - step
off the boat in into a slower pace of life, like it was 50 - 60 years
ago...
What
galleries show your work?
Is there
something you’d like to talk about that I didn’t bring up?
Personal
goals for 2018 include finishing my book about Art and Psychology and working
up some of my Plein air studies into larger canvases.
Author of
the upcoming book – “Permission Granted”
Goals
for IPAP – finding a location for a members’ meet up
Looking
into reviving the World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists
Looks
like you’ll have your hands full! Can’t wait to read your book and see your
larger canvases. It would be wonderful to have the World Tour revived.
Much
success to you in all your endeavors.
"Up River"
8x8 oil on canvas
Contact J. R. for information about all artwork.
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