Who Are The Informalists?
The
Informalists are from left diagonal to right diagonal:
- Jeff Daniel Smith
- Cyndra Bradford
- Gerard Martin, Jr.
- Barry John Raybould
- Richmond P. Woodson
Picture a serene hidden valley along the Pacific Coast or the last rays of the sun glowing on a stately rock formation in a quiet cove. These are the informal views of the natural landscape captured by a group of painters known as the “Informalists.”
Rather
than paint the standard realistic views of tourist landmarks, the Informalists try to capture the
true feeling and atmosphere of the Central Coast's natural landscape showing more unusual views
and using more fluid expressionistic brushwork. Working mostly in the increasingly popular “Plein
Air” tradition, these artists work on location, often working in oils on small-sized canvases
to quickly capture the fleeting light effects that are notable along this coast.
At
the turn of the 19th century, the French Impressionists were breaking away from the traditional
approaches to painting and creating a brand new way of capturing the French landscape on canvas. “We
are continuing the tradition of the early California Impressionists of the 20's and 30's but interject
modern approaches to painting to create a fusion of expressionistic and impressionistic styles” says
Barry John Raybould. As we move into the 20th century Pacific Grove will be creating a new genre
of art to capture the beauty of the natural landscape in tune with the increasing concern for preserving
what remains of our rapidly disappearing natural environment. Judging by the demand for their work,
some collectors have already spotted this trend.
