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Noted
artists to tell travel stories
during Madison event
Dawson,
Hassard have painted in India, other locales
By
Lela Jane Bradshaw
Contributing Writer
(July 2008) – When artists Ray Hassard
and Debra Joyce Dawson want to paint, they don’t always
head to an isolated studio. Sometimes they work in tranquil
Ohio parks or on quiet Indiana farms.
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Photo
provided
Debra
Joyce Dawson and Ray Hassard
pose with an Indian leader during
a recent trip abroad.
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Other times, they travel around the world to
set up their easels on some of the busiest streets in India.
Sitting down to paint here means being quickly surrounded
by a crowd of onlookers avidly interested in watching them
work. Hassard describes the experience of painting in India,
“Like being on stage or in a circus.”
Hassard and Dawson will be speaking on plein air painting
and their journey to India and Bhutan at a 6:30 p.m. forum
Tuesday, July 15, at the Madison-Jefferson Public Library.
Their talk will include slides of their paintings as well
as pictures from their travels.
Larry Rudolech, Development Committee Chairman of the Madison
Art Club, believes the talk will appeal to “anybody who
enjoys art and traveling.” In addition to viewing the
artists’ paintings, audience members will also hear stories
ranging from visits to the Taj Mahal gardens to the practicalities
of getting the finished paintings from India back to the United
States.
The term “plein air painting” comes from the French
phrase en plein air meaning “in the open air.” Plein
air paintings are completed outdoors, generally in just a
couple of hours so as to capture the impact of light on a
scene. Artists are forced to work on a timetable before the
movement of the sun changes the shadows and lighting on their
subject.
Hassard, 59, of Cincinnati, explains that the brief window
of opportunity allows the painter to capture a viewpoint “in
a fresh, spontaneous sort of way.” Rudolech notes that
plein air painting has “really become a hot little topic.
There are a lot of collectors, especially in this area.”
Many plein air painters participate in paint outs where collectors
and art enthusiasts can meet the artists and watch as the
paintings grow to life. Such gatherings give the public a
chance to, “see what the artists can accomplish in a
few hours,” says Rudolech.
Dawson, 57, of Pataskala, Ohio, notes the personal appeal
of plein air painting, “For me, a lot of it has to do
with loving to be outside.” Working outdoors allows the
artist to respond not only to the colors and shapes of nature,
but also the sounds and scents of the open air.
“You’re out there talking to people and you see
the quality of air, of light,” Dawson says. Hassard believes
painting outdoors offers, “a number of good things – you
don’t get in a studio. You have to deal with the sun
moving and not fuss around with details and paint the essence
of the scene.”
The outdoor painters found inspiration not only in the natural
landscape of India and Bhutan but also in the flow of people
and bustle of activity in the cities. “Life is lived
in the street in India, not behind closed doors. Life is big
there. It takes all of your attention to walk down the street,”
Dawson recalls.
Hassard points out that to those not native to India, “It’s
really exotic – makes it easy for an artist or photographer.”
The artists found themselves watching a kaleidoscope of lavishly
painted buildings and people in beautifully dyed clothes.
However, to those used to the constant play of colors and
activity, the artists’ interest in these “everyday”
sights came as a surprise. “People there ask why I’m
painting this boring, everyday street,” Hassard says
with a laugh.
Both artists share a contagious enthusiasm for India and are
certain to delight audiences with their captivating art and
stories of travel. “India is just a magical place,”
Dawson says. “Things felt like a 24-hour slide show of
things I thought I would never see.”
Hassard hopes that people “will learn some good things
about India. Ever since my first trip I’ve been obsessed
with the place.”
After hearing these artists speak, audience members should
not be surprised to find themselves wanting to pick up a brush
and pack their own bags for adventure.
• For more information visit: www.debrajoycedawson.com
or www.rayhassard.com.
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