Jeffrey Swaluk, Plein Air Painter

NEWS: (updated 2-23-10)

Painting Workshop Jeffrey Swaluk will lead a two day workshop for oil or acrylic painters at redFISH Gallery on May 15-16, 2010. Welcome to my web site. I am a plein air painter, meaning I do my landscape paintings outside rather than in a studio. I enjoy the challenges and rewards of painting outside. And the challenges are many. I have to decide how I am going to compose my subject on the spot. I have a very limited amount of time before the light changes a lot and everything looks different. Sometimes I have to contend with a boat I'm painting leaving to go fishing. Other times someone parks their SUV right in front of my scene just as I am finishing up. Bugs love painters. So does the wind.

But it's all part of the experience, the experience of being outside in nature or in the middle of a bustling city, the adventure of not knowing what great painting subject lies just around the corner, the surprise of seeing a familiar scene made completely new and different by the light of a different time of day. These things aren't available to be experienced in a studio.

When the whole process works well it's exhilirating; the weather is great, the light is perfect, I don't take it too seriously and a good painting seems to paint itself. When this happens I don't even notice that it is coming out well until I stop. That's why I keep going out there. If you're a painter too, and are looking for some tips and ideas that could help you improve your paintings, I am always adding new thoughts, exercises and ideas on painting. I'm almost always thinking about some aspect of painting and I like sharing the discoveries I make and the things I learn. I also have a section of my paintings for you to peruse. In addition, there is a section listing upcoming shows that I'll be participating in. Future updates of this web site will include a list of workshops I'll be teaching. Thanks very much for visiting and I hope you enjoy your stay!