All Good Things

All good things must come to and end and this blog is one of them.

History really doesn't define artists who are moving through different 

environments, but there's quite a history of them doing so. George 

Catlin went with missionaries into the western U.S. to paint the 

American Indian; military's of the world brought along painters into 

war zones and still continue to; Impressionists moved around Europe; 

Paul Gauguin traveled by boat to the Marquesas Island; and today's 

travel painters can take a trip to so many destinations in such a short 

time by plane, train, car, boat, or bike for transportation.

I intended this blog to help define what it is to be a modern-day travel 

painter working with a rich history. It been fun reading about everyone 

and the different ways in which we work. Travel Painting is not easy 

nor is it for the weak of heart. There can be a lot of fear to overcome 

long before we get to wherever we are going. What a treat it's been to 

experience all these cultures at a time of so much change. Remember 

the journey is the destination.                                           

                                      To all of you, Gregg Fretheim 

Oleg Tantsura and what's upcoming

Gregg recently came across some really great work by the Russian painter Oleg Tantsura. Follow the link to his work by clicking on his name in the box in the right-hand margin.

We're also going to have a small question and answer with Gregg about some of his past travels to Costa Rica posted in the coming month.

More from the Southern Pole

Gregg just found these really great paintings and sketches. It's unusual to find so many pieces of work together on the internet. The following link details the naval expedition in 1955-56 and its two painters, Standish Backus (1910-1989) and Robert Charles Haun (1903-1975), who served as visual chroniclers. Much of the oil work was finished after the trip from sketches and photographs because of the extreme conditions. 

http://www.history.navy.mil/ac/exploration/deepfreeze/deepfreeze1.html

Anybody else who finds any other collections you find interesting let us know and we'll share them.

Watercolor at the South Pole

Here at the blog, we would like to highlight a past artist who pushed the boundary of where art can be taken. Arthur Beaumont (http://www.navyart.com/) had a distinguished career, and his masterwork of the first watercolor painting of the South Pole in open air (http://www.navyart.com/bidpages/southpole.htm), using torpedo alcohol nonetheless, exemplifies the remarkable splendor achievable even in the most adverse conditions.

A favorite place and image

This chiaroscuro (or clair-obscur) drawing in brush and ink of Marie-Eve and Camille sketching on the edge of a railway embankment in rural Quebec is a favorite because it reminds me of the social aspect of painting outdoors. The two young friends, who were students in a course I was giving there, often sat together, chatting away about other things while they drew and painted. You can imagine them picnicking together, taking their sketchbooks and paints along with a basket with wine and lunch and a blanket out to a favorite spot.

Contributed by Michael Kluckner
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I had just taken a new job and moved to Germany. I was looking over a map, and orienting myself to the area around my new apartment in the small town of Hochspeyer. Then there it was, a scant six kilometers from my apartment; the town of Frankenstein. I thought to myself, no, it couldn’t be. Could it? A few days later I had some extra time so I drove to Frankenstein. The weather was sunny and Frankenstein, though very small, was charming. There was a Gasthaus(inn/restaurant) at the edge of town, with patrons enjoying the sunshine at outdoor tables. It took me all of two minutes to drive the entire length of Frankenstein. As I turned around and began to drive back, I noticed a churchspire nestled against a hill off to the left of the road. I pulled over to take a picture. Then I saw the castle, a menacing looking one at that, crumbling, perched on the hill overlooking the town. Unbelievable.

I did not have any more time that day, but after researching the castle I worked up the courage and made the climb up the hill. The weather was nice and the trail was wide. The watercolor drawing is a view from the end of the trail as it comes upon the castle ruins. My trip to the castle (at www.michaels-travels.com) turned out to be quite enjoyable and I plan to return, but not in the dark of night.

Contributed by Michael Liebhaber

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This picture was taken in the middle of the salt flats, Salar de Uyumi, in Bolivia where even the hotel is made out of salt. This was one of those times I got to a destination to paint with my travel companion Nilton La Rosa without knowing how we were going to get back. About a week went by before we finally found a ride back to civilization. By then we were glad to be getting off the salt. It was hard on the skin and lips.

Contributed by Gregg Fretheim

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