Alecia Schmitz

For me, the play of light on an object or the luminescence created by atmosphere on a landscape evokes a strong urge to recreate an image on paper or canvas. My intent is to share with the viewer the beauty in an everyday scene as my mind’s eye sees it.

Although much of my work is created in the studio, I also love to paint en plein air, which is a method of painting on location directly from nature. While some of these paintings can be little jewels, I frequently use them as color studies or “rough drafts” for paintings completed in the studio (as opposed to painting from photographs). My hope is that the resulting work expresses the total experience of not only seeing my subject, but allowing my other senses to have a part in the painting process as well. Sounds, smells, and the climate will all influence how I interpret a subject.