We are lucky to live in an area of immense natural beauty. Whether our artists took part in our Plein Air excursions over the summer or worked independently, we are thrilled to present our annual exhibit of art made and inspired by the great outdoors. Join us for En Plein Air, on view at the Kittery Art Association from September 7th through October 1st with an Opening Reception on Sunday, September 10th from 5pm – 7pm.
Also on View: Works by Spotlight Artist John Kessler
John Kessler works with oil paints, usually depicting some aspect of life in rural and coastal New England. His paintings are representational in nature with a bit of impressionistic style. The subject matter is most likely a landscape, but John also paints the occasional still life of some fun item that piques his interest. By actively participating in local exhibits, art associations, and social media accounts, he has gradually developed a following for his work.
“I guess you could say I started my art career in grade school, but then I took about fifty years off to pursue mechanical engineering. I finally returned to painting full time about six years ago and haven’t looked back. I have taken art courses and several workshops recently to catch up for lost time.”
John has lived much of his life in New Hampshire where he finds his inspiration in the local farms, woods, wetlands, and coastal environment throughout the different seasons of the year. John’s interest in photography is a nice complement to his painting. He is always on the lookout for that special view that can be turned into a painting, hopefully recreating the mood and feeling of the moment. He has improved his craft by taking classes at the New Hampshire Institute of Art in Manchester and workshops with established artists in the area including Stapleton Kearns, David Lussier, and Ken DeWaard.
John feels extremely fortunate to have the time, resources and family support to pursue his interest in art. He is active in the Kittery and Newburyport Art Associations and he is a juried member of the New Hampshire Art Association in Portsmouth, NH.
Artist Statement: The world around us is interesting and beautiful when we take the time to look. As an artist I hope to point out some of those special instances that occur in our everyday lives. Maybe we don’t notice that beauty due to our busy schedules, going to work, taking care of the kids, running errands, or maybe we were just looking the other way. By creating my paintings, I hope to provide a second chance to see what might have been missed the first time around.
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Founded in 1958, The Kittery Art Association Gallery and Shop is located at 2 Walker Street, in the heart of Kittery Foreside. The gallery features the work of Seacoast Artists in monthly shows and welcomes new members and art appreciators of all ages. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, committed to our mission to promote knowledge of the arts, stimulate interest in the work of local artists, and express appreciation for the abundant creativity in the seacoast area.
For more information visit www.kitteryartassociation.org or contact KAA at info@kitteryartassociation.org / (207) 451-9384