As of June 2022, the American Impressionist Society tallied a membership of 2,075 artists across the U.S. Of the 1,210 member-submitted works seeking entry into AIS’ 23rd annual National Juried Exhibition, only a prestigious 155 pieces of impressionist art were selected for the event, which will include works in oil, watercolor, pastel, gouache and acrylic.

The following featured artists represent a small sampling of those juried into the exhibit, all of whose work will be assessed for interpretation of theme, originality, quality and artistic skill by juror of awards and AIS Master Member, artist Huihan Liu.Teresa Townsend Hargis, Bethesda Fountain’s Angel of the Waters, oil on linen canvas, 20 x 20"

Teresa Townsend Hargis is an award-winning artist and is honored to have been selected by AIS for the show. “When I view a scene I want to paint, I endeavor to give my impression of that scene on canvas and express with paint the beauty of what I see,” says Hargis. “My desire is to tell a story and express emotion with bold brushstrokes. I am always mindful that I can never match God’s palette, but I do give my best impressionist effort.” Her painting of Bethesda Fountain was inspired after a visit to Central Park. “I was captivated by the angel that carries a lily in one hand while the other is blessing the water pouring around her feet. The reference to the Bible is a verse from the Gospel of St. John (5:2-4): ‘Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called Bethesda, whoever then first after the troubling of the waters stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.’” 

The inspiration for Debra Joy Groesser’s painting is Narada Lake, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore outside of Traverse City, Michigan.James Swanson, The Good Boy, oil on linen, 18 x 24"

“I first painted this scene en plein air during the Paint Grand Traverse event in 2018. I’ve painted it three or four times since, including this studio piece, each at different times of day and different conditions,” Groesser says. “It is a peaceful, magical place any time of day, and if you’re lucky you can catch a glimpse of the loons and listen to their calls. Each time I have painted this scene it takes me right back to being there—the sounds, the wonderful smell of the pine trees, the birdwatchers, kayakers and cyclists that came by. It’s my hope that the viewer will feel the peacefulness and the spirit of this special place through the painting.”

It’s clear what inspired James Swanson’s painting The Good Boy. “It’s like the old saying goes, ‘without heart there is no art,’” quotes the artist. “It’s easy to paint when your heart is in it. The Good Boy was painted more by my heart, than by my hand. He was such a good boy, he deserved a great painting.” Debra Joy Groesser, Late Day Reverie, Narada Lake, oil on linen panel,16 x 20"

With a degree in interior design, Hope Reis fell in love with painting when she was designing floor canvases for clients 20 years ago. This led to making fine art her life’s work. She is now represented by galleries in Florida, California, Georgia and England. “I love the energy and passion that comes from painting from life, whether a model in the studio or painting in the landscape,” says Reis. “That excitement…[is what] I want the viewer to sense also. This is the feeling collectors should look for when in the market for new works. North Light Breakfast is a painting of a model in our dining room. My aim was to capture the ‘feeling’ of  this comfortable, elegant setting.” Reis is thrilled that seeing beauty is her job. “What a fabulous way to honor my creator,” she adds. “Truly I want my work to reflect the appreciation I feel for the glorious beauty God has given us all to enjoy.” Hope Reis, North Light Breakfast, oil on linen on canvas, 24 x 18"

Heather Arenas’ painting depicts a group of men engaged in a very serious game in New York City’s Union Square. “I loved their level of concentration with so much hustle and bustle around them,” says Arenas. “They didn’t require any high-tech gadgetry, just a board and some crates. Race, gender, religion had no place in the discussion. It was all about the next move.” People are Arenas’ subject of choice. “A gesture of the figure or a hand can tell so much of a story,” she continues. “I don’t have to be a slave to a photo reference if I can express the emotion through gesture.” Arenas chooses to paint in an impressionistic style because because it allows “the viewer to become part of the story by filling in some of the details with their own heart and mind. It helps them to connect with the piece. If the piece is too realistic, it might as well be a photo and may only receive a glance. I want the viewer’s attention.” Heather Arenas, Your Move!, oil on cradled wood, 24 x 30"

Liz Abeyta loves the constant challenges of painting on location. “It forces me to pare down grand vistas or detailed scenes to the bare essentials,” says the artist. “It is a delicate balance to provide just enough so that the painting is understood by the viewer, while leaving suggested features to the imagination.” Abeyta strives to be efficient with brushstrokes yet still convey her feelings about the location.Liz Abeyta, Day at Tuna Harbor, oil on linen, 11 x 14"

“We’ve all heard the saying, ‘variety is the spice of life,’” she says. “Variety also adds spice to a painting: light played against shadow, hard crisp edges versus soft lost ones, thick paint confidently laid against a thin wash, and warm yellows and reds alongside cool blues and greens. Contrasts like these really make a painting sing.”

“[We are] honored to be hosting the 23rd Annual American Impressionist Society’s National Juried Exhibition this September in Boulder, Colorado,” says gallery owner Mary Williams. “We consider this partnership a genuine opportunity to share the work of America’s finest impressionist artists with the Colorado community.” 

For those unable to attend the show in person, it will be presented in its entirely on the Mary Williams Fine Arts website. To see the full schedule of events and activities visit the AIS website at www.americanimpressionistsociety.org. —

AIS NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION
When: September 15-October 22, 2022
Where: Mary Williams Fine Arts, 5311 Western Avenue #12, Boulder, CO 80301
Information: (303) 938-1588, www.marywilliamsfinearts.com 

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