The Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens was the inspiration and focus of the top plein air painters in Florida this past week. 37 landscape artists spent an intense 3 days of creativity seeking their muse in and bringing attention to the amazing natural setting of this beautiful park. The arboretum is a jewel within the city with its 120 acres of diverse ecosystems including lakes, creeks, ravines, marshes, flora and fauna offering the perfect setting for artists to set up their easels and capture the essence of this landscape. Long time paint out veterans all agreed that from the start this was the best produced and most professionally planned and operated paint out they have ever participated in. Give credit to Mindy and Lad Hawkins and Gail Beveridge who worked for over a year to produce this event with a crew of hundreds of volunteers. Artist liaisons Randy Pitts and Lyn Asselta asked for and received every possible amenity and support for artists. It paid off in a bounty of stunning artworks, huge public attendances and excellent sales over the 3 day event that benefit and support the ongoing mission of the gardens.
I was honored to be one of the featured artists to give a presentation, Plein Air as Public Art. From this viewpoint within the venue of the paint out, we are performance artists. In a poetic sense, I like to imagine what we do as building sandcastles, of which only one person can keep. I like the serendipitous encounter
with curious passersby and often this can lead to a collaborative effect. There is an energy exchange that the performance artists can focus into their work. Folks love to watch us use our artist's sleight of hand to make our magic. My painting approach is very physical, a dance really! The spectacular Gala Reception at Riverplace Tower Sat April 2 was packed with art lovers and patrons celebrating the artists and their works. Unsold works are to be exhibited for 3 more weeks at Jaxport Gallery with a closing reception Friday, April 22, 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
About Me
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- Tim Malles Art Studio
- Gainesville, Florida, United States
- Astronomy themes, landscapes and public art are some of the targets of my work. These are the best of times as we stand on the threshold of unprecedented discovery in space. As a space artist, I am grateful for and inspired by the amazing images of faraway places that the great telescopes of our generation have given us. As a plein air painter, I am inspired to quickly capture light, color and movement with the focus on our rapidly changing environment. As an artist within the live public art venue I am inspired by the opportunity for creativity, spontaneity and exchange.
