I have always been attracted to art that demonstrates a relationship between artist and place. Peter Alexander’s light and space, Carlos Almaraz’s Echo Park, car crashes and his murals for Cesar Chavez, and of course, Julius Shulman’s interpretation and dissemination of LA’s Modernist architecture are key examples of our place becoming part of what we are and what we create. Certainly, the classic manifestation of this artist/place relationship is the art historical tradition of plein air painting, taking the sketchpad or easel outdoors and working directly in the landscape amidst the constantly changing weather and light. The 19th century French painter Eugène Boudin said, “Everything that is painted directly and on the spot has always a strength, a power, a vivacity of touch which one cannot recover in the studio.” Enduring the current pandemic has been difficult for all of us, but many of my artist friends have found solace and inspiration by taking short trips to the beaches, mountains and deserts and working in the fresh air - some have even taken to the streets. Below is a collection of plein air work made during the pandemic and photographed with the depicted landscape in the background. The images represent a diverse range of artistic approaches and, when juxtaposed with the actual landscape, reveal the profoundly unique perspective each artist brings to the endeavor. These photographic documents also act as an immediate and fresh form of authentication, a visual evidence of the action or performance just completed. The making of plein air artwork is an observational dance between the artist and a living subject, much like a portrait sitting, and these photos bring us to the intimate culmination of that collaboration.

- Craig Krull


All of the artwork in this online exhibition is available for purchase.
For inquiries, please call 310-913-0749 or email at info@craigkrullgallery.com.