“I’m happy out there, being in nature, spending time looking, painting and having fun.”

Jason Burroughs completed a rewarding month long Goetemann Artist Residency on Rocky Neck and is so appreciative of this generous honor. He enjoyed adjusting to painting with oil, outside, and the challenge of working so quickly to “get all the notes down” chasing light, tide and wind conditions before a moment he was after changed. “Building up marks, being able to paint fast, to do it in that time is an honorable achievement. And a challenge. I’m learning something with each one.” Burroughs went out as much as he could. He admires the speed and mechanics mastery of plein air greats he’s researched, and artists working now that he’s getting to know and pepper with questions or simply paint alongside. He’s riveted when Jeff Weaver talks about the history of a building or scene. During this residency he was grateful to have had the chance to join Stephen LaPierre and Caleb Stone for a couple of plein air outings. He loves having a base in Rocky Neck, the architecture of Gloucester’s waterfront, pilings, boats, masts, popular  scenes & motifs, repetitive forms, and the energy and vibe of being around other artists. He relished solo time in the field, even the time he got a sunburn working on one of the larger paintings: “I was standing out there 7 hours throwing paint down. I got to pick my site, overlooking the waterfront, in nature. (I saw bunnies and bluejays. So peaceful. It was great!) You go through so much white. So much. And trial and error. I’m just hoping to find ways of painting that will bring some of the truth of what I’m seeing.  I need to know if something is wrong and why. Some I leave rugged. Putting in the work is so important.”

photos: Snapshots of Jason Burroughs readying a couple of days before his Goetemann Artist Residency closing talk, and from his presentation and Q&A, standing room only, well received and topped off by several painting sales. His good friend, David Brooks, filmed and beamed throughout. 

A couple of days before the closing talk