16×12″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on canvas covered hardboard
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

Visiting the Hudson River School show at the Thomas Cole Historical Site last Friday made me think about many of my own paintings of the Hudson River, and how our contemporary, plein air pieces fit into the grand scheme of things. The Hudson River School paintings are filled with details, and tell a story about man’s journey—past, present and future. In the years before paint tubes, it wasn’t so easy to transport paints and equipment out into the field. As I looked over those paintings, I recognized many bits and pieces of the locations. The artists would go out into the field and sketch these bits and pieces, then come back into the studio and combine them into a grand work with a foreground, middle ground, and horizon, incorporating figures and animals representing man’s mark on the landscape and his journey.

I look at the Hudson River as a theme that flows through my work. I think those of us who paint plein air have been heavily influenced by many factors through the generations. While there are ateliers and painting schools that teach the techniques of the Hudson River School painters of past generations, there are also those who have been heavily influenced by the Impressionists, and the immediacy necessary to capture a scene on location under the conditions of changing light. It will be very interesting for those in future generations to trace back through these Hudson River styles as a more direct painting approach evolved.

As for me, I plan to go out and continue to paint my favorite river. I suppose I will leave it to the art historians to determine how we fit into the spectrum of art history!

This is a scene painted from a lovely waterfront park along the Hudson River in Nyack, New York. It faces the Tappan Zee Bridge, which was just barely emerging from the fog as I set up to paint.

5×7″, Oils on sealed, primed hardboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This was yesterday’s sunrise over the Hudson River, painted on location in Nyack.

6×6″, Oils on sealed, primed hardboard
For purchase information, please email me at JamieWG@aol.com.

I painted down in Nyack this morning. The skies were mostly overcast, but periodically there would be a break of brilliant sunshine that flooded the landscape with bright light. One of the Tall Ships was sailing off in the distance. I think it was the Mystic Whaler. It didn’t make it into my painting, but was a wonderful accompaniment to my morning by the shore!

These are the same trees that have those beautiful purple blossoms in spring. I was so sorry that they were no longer blooming, but I did put some hints of the violets into them as a hint of what they are.

12×16″, Oils on Raymar canvas panel
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

One more amazing day along the Hudson River at Nyack Beach State Park….I was surprised to find the Royal Paulownia trees still in full bloom. Everybody was out walking along the path with smiles on their faces in the warm breeze.

12×16″, Oils on Raymar canvas panel
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

I got to Nyack very early yesterday morning, while the sun was still very low in the sky. It glowed at the horizon, and struck the face of the Palisades cliffs head on. The purple Royal Paulownia trees were blooming all over the base of the cliffs. I had to walk a half mile along the path with all my painting gear, but as soon as I arrived at this location, I knew I’d met my muse for the day!

6×8″, Oils on sealed, primed hardboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

While painting this yesterday in Nyack in the cold and intense wind, many people stopped to chat and admire the painting. One woman, after commenting on the diversity of the New York landscape, said, “I love New York! I love the Hudson River, the fall colors, the skies, and even the snobby New York City folks!”

Aside from any snobby New York City folks (and I haven’t encountered many!), I have to agree with her. So, I named the painting I Love New York. It’s hard to beat a view of Paulownia Trees along the Hudson River with dramatic skies!

10×8″, Oils on Raymar canvas panel
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

My plein air painting buddy, Sue, wanted to go paint at Nyack Beach State Park this morning. Conditions were freezing cold, very windy, and overcast. I was honestly not thrilled about this idea, but didn’t want my friend to have to go alone. I packed my winter coat, a thermos of coffee and lunch, and hit the road at 7am.

Imagine my joy upon arriving there and seeing these exquisite Royal Paulownia Trees along the path beside the Hudson River as it wound through the park. (I confess that I didn’t know what they were, but I asked the Park Ranger!) We didn’t get much sunshine, but the skies were a lot more interesting than just those silvery, heavily overcast days. I’m so glad I went. In fact, I’m going back tomorrow!

12×16″, Golden OPEN on canvas covered hardboard
For purchase information, please email me at JamieWG@aol.com.

A member of our plein air group got permission for us to paint very early in the morning at this fabulous location beneath the Palisades in Nyack, New York. It’s not long before the sun travels high enough to dim and cool the light on the cliff face. Although the sun was in and out of the clouds (mostly in), we did get some good color on the rocks. It was a fabulous location. I’d love to return in fall!

I just returned from my trip up to the Catskills, where I painted in the footsteps of the old Hudson River School painters. I visited the locations depicted in the paintings, and had an amazing trip doing my own versions from those famous spots. I’ll start posting photos and paintings from my trip beginning tomorrow. I’m still photographing the paintings and sorting through images. Please stay tuned!

12×16″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on sealed, primed hardboard
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

I had a wonderful excursion to Nyack today to paint along the Hudson River. The day was supposed to be very hot, so I left home early this morning to beat the heat. When I arrived at this wonderful path along the river, I was captivated by the yellow, atmospheric sky over the far hills across the river, and the shapes of the trees. This spot is very close to the parking lot, but I saw no reason to venture further, and set up my easel.

I used more than my usual limited palette for this one, expanding my colors to a whopping seven tubes!
Buff Titanium
Naples Yellow
Cadmium Yellow Primrose
Cadmium Red Light
Transparent Red Oxide
Ultramarine Blue
Titanium White (hardly used it at all)
The buff titanium and naples yellow were great additions to my palette for this particular scene. I think they’ll likely become staples for these atmospheric, early morning paintings.

8×10, Golden OPEN Acrylics on canvas covered hardboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This is a work-in-progress image of my second painting from Nyack. I had to move my spot when the tide started coming in and lapping at the feet of my Soltek easel! I took the photo before I changed painting spots, then worked on the painting a little more and signed it. I forgot to take another picture when it was completed, and now it’s sold!

Like the first one, the colors are a bit off due to being photographed outside with all that blue reflected light. Memorial Park in Nyack was a great spot to paint. I’m sure I’ll return there someday to do some more.