Grace Hudson Museum

Landscape Interpretations: Redwood to Oak - Ocean to Stream

Between Worlds by Bill Martin, oil on canvas, 36

"Between Worlds" by Bill Martin, oil on canvas, 36" x 72"

A comparison of regional contemporary painting to inspirational historic California art.

The contemporary artists: Carol Andrews, Mary Case Dekker, Peter Holbrook, Bill Martin, Kevin Milligan, Hope Stevenson, and Malcolm West.

The historic artists: Albert Bierstadt, Giuseppe Cadenasso, Hugo Fisher, August Gay, Percy Gray, Grace Carpenter Hudson, William Keith, Emil Kosa Jr., Lorenzo Latimer, Edgar Payne, Louis Siegriest, and numerous others.

California has been a Mecca to landscape artists since the mid-1800s. As one views the history of California art, the influences of past national and international art movements are seen. Yet, the presence of the diverse landscape and state of mind that defines the Golden State modifies those influences into art that is uniquely Californian. This splendor of historic styles and individual approaches to portraying the state’s unequaled scenery serves as inspiration for contemporary artists beguiled anew by the place that is California. The resulting art is rich both in tradition and modern vision.

Noyo Harbor by Hope Stevenson, oil on canvas, 30 in. x 36 in.

"Noyo Harbor" by Hope Stevenson, oil on canvas, 30" x 36"

More artists per capita live in the Mendocino County region than any other area in the state, many of them paint images of the land, forest and sea. From this bounty of talent, I chose seven outstanding artists – Carol Andrews, Mary Case Dekker, Peter Holbrook, Bill Martin, Kevin Milligan, Hope Stevenson, and Malcolm West – who evoke aspects of California artistic traditions in their painting styles. Carol Andrews, for example, paints in a very expressionistic, almost abstract manner. She mentioned landscapes by artist and curator Terry St. John as an influence on her work. In a 1972 Oakland Museum exhibition, St. John shared the heritage of the plein air paintings of the “Society of Six,” Bay Area’s 1920s Modernists, with a new generation of painters. Mary Case Dekker also identifies the Society of Six as an important influence on her painting via the work of her teacher Louis L. “Lundy” Siegriest (1925–1985), son of Society of Six artist Louis Bassi Siegriest (1899-1989). As a result of the 1972 “Society of Six” exhibition, Terry St. John began painting and showing plein air landscapes with the surviving member Louis Siegriest and his son, Lundy, as well as other Bay Area artists including Peter W. Brown.

Aurora's Winter Veil by Mary Case Dekker, watercolor, 10 in. x 14 in.

Aurora's Winter Veil by Mary Case Dekker, watercolor, 10" x 14"
Peter Holbrook’s harbor scenes appear to be photorealist documentaries, but in reality they are manipulated images using dramatic lighting, obscured detail, and virtuoso technique to achieve their impact. Similar manipulation for impact can be found in the easel painting of early California artists such as William Keith (1837–1911) and Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902). Bill Martin expressly mentioned Bierstadt as an artist whose work fascinates him. Martin’s modern, expansive, and dreamlike landscapes resonate with the earlier fantastic views of untamed California.

Sea Wolf - Noyo by Peter Holbrook, oil on canvas, 26 in. x 40 in.

"Sea Wolf - Noyo" by Peter Holbrook, oil on canvas, 26 in. x 40 in."

Hope Stevenson’s unique colorful palette knife technique continues the tradition of California Impressionism. Her work compares in style to that of Edgar Payne (1882–1947). Kevin Milligan’s work also owes some allegiance to Impressionism, although he utilizes a more muted palette. His favorite artist is Emil Kosa Jr. (1903-1968) a modernist muralist whose landscapes feature subdued coloration.

Kelley House by Kevin Milligan, oil on canvas, 18 in. x 24 in.

"Kelley House" by Kevin Milligan, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"

Malcolm West also mentioned Emil Kosa Jr. as an artistic influence. West’s work is, however, also reminiscent of earlier California watercolorists such as Lorenzo P. Latimer (1857-1941) and especially Hugo Fisher (1854-1916).

Winter Orchard, Gowan's by Malcolm West, watercolor, 15 in. x 20 in.

"Winter Orchard, Gowan's" by Malcolm West, watercolor, 15" x 20"

In this exhibition I endeavor to demonstrate how one ongoing painting tradition – that of California landscapes – continues to draw healthy inspiration from past historical movements. I hope viewers will explore this interaction of contemporary and historic art, and see both in a new light.

Marvin Schenck, Curator

"River #23" by Carol Andrews, acrylic on plywood, !7" x 17"

Meet the seven contemporary artists featured in the exhibition. Each will offer insight into their inspiration and painting concepts. Free.

Intermediate to advanced artists are invited to enjoy a day of outdoor landscape painting with Kevin Milligan, well-known Mendocino Coast artist. Call museum for registration and details. Enrollment is limited and is $30 per student, $25 per member.

This one-day workshop with nationally known Mendocino artist Hope Stevenson is for intermediate and advanced oil painters who would like to try painting with a palette Knife instead of a brush. Call museum for registration and details. Enrollment is limited and is $30 per student, $25 per member.

See the exhibition through the eyes of Grace Hudson Curator, Marvin Schenck. Free.