Mike Adams
Sanctuary
Exhibition opening reception with the artist
Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, 6pm - 8pm
Mike Adams is an American landscape painter, working in the style of the early American Tonalists through studio and plein air work. Currently based in Maryland and West Virginia, he spends the majority of his time either painting in nature or simply hiking through it, taking in the vastness and technical information of natures ever-changing light.
Artist’s Statement
As a landscape painter specializing in tonalism and plein air, I find solace and inspiration in the ever-changing moods of nature. My work is deeply influenced by the Hudson River School and American Tonalists, who sought to capture the spiritual essence of the natural world. Each painting is a journey into the heart of the landscape, where light, atmosphere, and emotion converge.
Drawing from the tradition of the Hudson River School, I aim to imbue my landscapes with a sense of grandeur and awe, celebrating the vastness and majesty of the natural world. Yet, like the American Tonalists, I also seek to evoke a mood of introspection and quietude, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the serene and meditative qualities of the scene.
Plein air painting serves a large part of my artistic expression, allowing me to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere directly from life. Each painting is a testament to the immediacy and authenticity of the immediate surroundings.
Through my work, I hope to evoke a sense of connection and reverence for the natural world, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and find solace in the beauty that surrounds us. In a world filled with noise and distraction, my paintings serve as a reminder of the timeless power of nature’s ever-changing landscape.
thumbnail image: Debut de l’hiver, acrylic gouache on panel, 8” x 6”
