Louisa McElwain (American, 1953-2013). Song of the High Desert. Oil on canvas. 34 x 64 inches (86.4 x 162.6 cm). Signed ...

Description

Louisa McElwain (American, 1953-2013)
Song of the High Desert
Oil on canvas
34 x 64 inches (86.4 x 162.6 cm)
Signed lower right: McElwain
Signed, titled, and inscribed on the stretcher bar: "Song of the High Desert" Louisa McElwain

Born in New Hampshire, Louisa McElwain settled in New Mexico where she became renowned for her energetic, vibrant and heavy impasto depictions of the southwestern sky and landscape. Her paintings are as lively and electric as her personality. McElwain painted en plein-aire and immersed herself in her surroundings, oftentimes explaining that she could feel the landscape pulsating through her veins. She noted that "During the process of painting large canvases outdoors, the interaction with Nature introduces insects, particles of plants and soil into the paint. To acknowledge the simultaneous levels of reality that surround me, I sometimes deliberately introduce elements into the paint like bits of broken beer bottle, bone, fur, or charred wood. Anything stuck to the motif, the images, the illusions, the beauty of landscape, I never want to forget that what I am looking at is paint on canvas."


More information about McElwain, Louisa. See also: LOUISE McELWAIN Artist.

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