“Plein Adirondack” is a show of oil paintings by Saranac Lake artist Sandra Hildreth that will take you right out onto the trails, shorelines and mountaintops of the region. Hildreth not only paints the Adirondack landscape, she has come to intimately know the environment through years of hiking, paddling, and cross-country skiing.
The exhibit opens with a reception on Saturday, July 8, from 3 – 5 pm, and continues until Aug 1.
Like the Hudson River School painters who were attracted to the wild ruggedness of the region, Hildreth has found that is what has pulled her to paint the Adirondack Mountains as well. Plein air painting allows her to combine the two things she loves most: painting outdoors, on location, and exploring the wild places of the natural world. With a sturdy backpack for her palette, paints, easel and canvas, Hildreth hikes to find locations that inspire her to paint. She’s also packed her gear into her solo canoe and ventured out to other scenic spots. And on calm, sunny winter days that aren’t too frigid, she has even skied with her paints.
However, while the Adirondack Park consists of 6 million acres of woods and waters, Hildreth has also found it very rewarding to have a few special places she returns to paint, often many times per year, in all the different seasons and weather conditions. “Fully understanding a specific place, by exploring it on foot as well as with a paint brush, really gives you a personal connection to the spirit of that place,” she says.
Hildreth’s home studio/gallery in Saranac Lake is open by appointment and she regularly has work on display in the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery. More information about the artist can be found at SandraHildreth.com.
Image shown: Barnum Brook, May, oil on linen, 12×48”, plein air