Lynn Gertenbach: Illumination

Known as a plein air painter, she showed us her fantastic water garden where she paints many of her famous lilypond paintings, as well as her plein air studies of the California coast. I was intrigued by one particular study that showed a massive, cumulus cloud formation with rays of light bursting from behind its luminous thunderhead.

Ralph and I both felt that Lynn was an artist whose work deserved to be captured on video, and we requested that she paint a studio work based on the stunning little plein air study we had seen in her collection. Earlier this year, in 2007, our production crew returned to California to film this studio painting, along with another filmed entirely outdoors in her beautiful garden. It was hard to decide which program to bring out first, but I wanted everyone to see and enjoy the cloud painting we had seen.

As she said, this subject matter is not easy to capture. "The time of year is summer; the hour of the day around 7 o'clock in the evening. There aren't too many clouds in Southern California (Malibu) at that time of year, so you have to be ready, with your easel packed, if you hope to go cloud hunting. The camera can't catch the color effects at this time of day, and you only have a few precious minutes to get it down on canvas." And we can attest to the fact that she did just that.

Her interpretation and handling of the rich, luminous colors in the clouds are wonderful to watch, and she makes it look so easy that anyone could do it. If this demonstration doesn't make you want to squeeze out paint and take up the brush, then nothing will. This painting is a feast for the eyes, and Gertenbach is a generous and articulate instructor, explaining everything she does.....and why.

If you are wanting to break out of "tight" painting and "loosen up", then Lynn is the person to watch. Her paintings have a lush, juicy surface which she tells how to accomplish with her favorite knives and brushes. And she gives invaluable advice on how to keep those thick, beautiful colors clean and luminous. This is another DVD we highly recommend for your reference library, and we know that you will agree."

- Johnnie Liliedahl