Dawn Cohen

Artist Statement:
I began my painting career in 1996 in Savannah, GA. At this time I painted from photographs. It was my husband, Shaun, who introduced me to the concept of plein-air painting. I have done plein-air paintings exclusively since 1998. He and I painted side by side on many painting trips to the canyonlands of Utah. In time, I found that by painting through direct observation I was able to access a lot more information than I could from a photograph.

Plein-air is a French expression which means 'in the open air,' and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors, through the direct observation of the environment. Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh advocated en plein-air painting and have a great influence on my paintings. Working at the site also records the passing of time. When painting outside one is receiving information from all the senses, not just the eyes. It allows one to feel the landscape and perceive the heaviness or lightness of the atmosphere. When you look at a painting done plein-air, the artist is sharing their experience with you. I love watching shadows and seasons. Painting plein-air allows me to explore the same subject matter at different times, while still making a unique painting. The beauty of nature is an inexhaustible subject matter.

I pride myself on making large-scale paintings, where I return to the same painting spot day after day until it is complete. Working on-site with the constantly changing natural light requires focus and speed. It also takes commitment and discipline to brave the elements. I often paint in extremely cold Crested Butte weather and have to adorn myself with ski suits, gloves, hand and foot warmers and many layers of fleece. I do this because I love winter scenes. My eyes are drawn to a cluster of snow sliding off of an old tin roof or to the way ice hangs onto a riverbank. I also enjoy recording the awkward and elegant shape of boats and their reflections on the water. It is these scenes that I search for and that inspire me to paint.

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