Congratulations to Jonathan McHugh (JTMcHughArt.com), whose work has been recognized in the PleinAir® Salon, a monthly art competition with many categories in which to enter your art.
On Painting “Columbus Circle Golden Hour”
BY JONATHAN MCHUGH
“Columbus Circle Golden Hour” is a 30×40″ oil painting based on a view from one of the best nights of my life. While visiting New York City, I proposed to the love of my life on a fall evening in Central Park. Minutes later, we were walking to a Broadway show and stopped at a crosswalk by Columbus Circle.
I was struck by the complex harmony between the gold sky, dark neutral architecture, and pink ice cream truck and umbrellas. I took a quick picture, which served as the reference for this painting in combination with my memory. It was a challenge to convey the busy chaos of New York without it feeling compositionally overwhelming, which is why I simplified some negative shapes and broke up edges with blurry glazing and scumbled palette knife textures.
On Entering the PleinAir Salon
Submitting art to PleinAir Salon can feel intimidating (at least for me), and you may feel the same way if you are considering entering your work, but I think that sense of humility is a good sign. It shows that we are striving to learn from the many outstanding artists who we look up to in this community.
I am 27 years old and have so much more to learn, which is what inspires me to practice constantly and immerse myself in the work of more experienced artists. At the same time, it is important to trust that my own artistic voice expresses something worthwhile, and I am honored that this was reciprocated by PleinAir Salon.
Additional Paintings by Jonathan McHugh:
About the PleinAir Salon:
In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual online art competition, with 11 monthly cycles, leading to the annual Salon Grand Prize winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition. The competition rewards artists with $50,000 in cash prizes and exposure of their work, with the winning painting featured on the cover of PleinAir® Magazine.
Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir Magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, websites, and social media. Winners of each competition will also be entered into the annual competition. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the next Plein Air Convention & Expo.
The next round of the PleinAir Salon has begun so hurry, as this competition ends on the last day of the month. Enter your best art in the PleinAir Salon here.
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