workshop – Marianne Thompson

Rockport Art Association Workshop

April 29th & 30th, 2017

The purity of color mixing, the tactile quality and being able to capture nature’s surfaces in using a knife as your implement for creating will be a major focus in this workshop. Marianne’s years of experience painting plein air and a love of nature while spending summer months painting on Lake of The Woods, Canada has provided insight into water’s texture, movement, and refraction – and decades of study of her favorite Sunsets! Marianne will instruct students in handling paint with a knife and her own Color Theory.

All levels welcome. A list of suggested materials will be provided in advance.

Registration Deadlines: Participants must register by the listed deadline – one week prior to the workshop.

Evening Light – Running to Stand Still

Evening Light – Running to Stand Still
August 25th, 2012
Cox Reservation, Essex Greenbelt – Essex MA
16 x 20 in

This was a rare occasion where the group of plein air painters met from 2 – 7, to try and capture the evening light. I got there at 2:30, and within 10 mins had locked my keys in the trunk of my car, along with my wallet, paints, easel. I spent the next two hours waiting for AAA to arrive. I was philosophical at first, grateful that there was good weather and good company for my long wait – but eventually I fell to brooding. By the time they finally got there, I wanted to leave. But I did not want my own stupidity – or misfortune – to spoil the day entirely. So I stomped off to find a view in which I could relieve my pent up feelings. I hate to say it, but I think I paint best when angry. I’m glad I stayed and I’m glad I locked myself out of my car and made myself mad enough to paint a picture I like.

Day 2 of Tree Workshop…

Day 2 of Tree Workshop…
August 21st, 2012
Cogswell’s Grant in Essex, MA
Oil on Masonite, 24 x 30 in

David P. Curtis, under whose guidance I’ve had the honor of painting en plein air, very kindly gave me (via a generous student who had paid but could not attend) two days of a 5 day workshop on Trees. I have had my battles with trees as I think is well documented. I was transfixed by the clouds this day, and spent several hours and about 4 gallons of paint just trying to key it right. Then there was only an hour left for the rest of the painting – so I did the treeline first, then started the field, then began on my tree. I hated it from the get go and after 10 mins I realized it simply would not do. So I replaced it with a farmhouse which in reality was on my left. The house was facing me dead on so there were no sides visible – which made the whole painting look like a very affected rendition of a 5yr old’s drawing of Home. I did the best I could but then time ran out and I left. When I came back to it the next day most had dried. I guess this should go in my “Disasters” page, but I kind of like it in spite of everything.