“En Plein air” is a French Term that translates to “painting in the open air”. Though the French Impressionist brought new awareness and excitement, painting on location goes back for centuries. There is a certain life force that exists in the plein air painting, a ‘live performance’ so to speak, that captures a moment in time.
Plein air painting is about being in the moment while capturing nature’s many moods. The complete experience, — the light charged particles glowing in the atmosphere, the birds and crickets singing, fragrances of fruits and flowers floating on the air.
I find that when I can let myself go, not cloaking myself, without preemptive strikes, that my work results in a very fresh and honest expression to which people relate.
Paintings in the moment. Below please find the galleries of Jill’s plein air paintings, organized by location. Please check back occasionally to view the updated galleries with Jill’s newest paintings done on location as she travels far ands wide and close…. There are many more images available, too numerous to show here. Consider a visit to my home studio gallery to have a look.
Puerto Rico Earthquakes Series – Just Sold
I was in Puerto Rico when two large earthquakes rocked the small island – a 5.8 and then a 6.4. Painting centers me- the strokes are staccato -painted in the moment with the light and colors fading at each stroke. Clean up had to wait until the morning because we had lost power shortly after the quake. These paintings are 6″ x 8″, oil on linen.
Evening after Earthquake 5.8 
Sunset after Earthquake 6.4 
Evening after the 6.4 Earthquake 
Nightfall after 6.4 Earthquake
Puerto Rico Watercolors
These paintings were done on the last and first of the year – just days before the earthquakes hit…in fact I referred to these paintings as painting in paradise. Theses paintings are watercolor on paper. The seascapes are 5″ x 7″ and the Papaya in Paradise is 5″ x 8″. All of these paintings are available.
Last Sunset 2019, plein air watercolor 
Last Evening 2019, plein air watercolor 
First Day 2020, plein air watercolor 
Papaya in Paradise, plein air watercolor, 2020
Italy Plein Air Paintings
While conducting a workshop in Italy this summer, I had the opportunity to study a group of back-lite leaves and flowers. For several days I had the urge to paint the scene, however, as the leader of the workshop, I always had things to do. When I did finally found the time, I painted the scene in an explosion of color with complete abandonment.
Paintings done from observation by Jill in Farnese, Italy. These were all done from the windows of the villa where Jill will be conducting an observational painting workshop this summer, July 12-19, 2019.
Connecticut Plein Air Paintings
Connecticut is home-base for Jill. This offers her the opportunity to capture Connecticut’s many moods and seasons. Many of these paintings were created near to Jill’s home where she enjoys walking the nature trails. Please contact Jill if you’d be interested in taking plein air painting lessons or workshops with her in Connecticut,
Puerto Rico Plein Air Paintings
Paintings done from the balcony overlooking the sea in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. Here Jill captures the rapidly changing colors and light. Changing from day into night and then back again into dawn.
New England Paintings
Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts, are all easily accessible to Jill’s home state of Connecticut. Jill often travels to her neighboring New England towns to paint the local flavor. Several of these paintings were done on one of the all time favorite areas for painter’s- Monhegan Island, first made popular by the Wyeth family and their painter friends.
