Weston Courier

WESTON J. COURIER – AN AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST

Thank you for allowing me to share my art experience with you.

I  realize now that my interest in art began at a very early age when I  stood in wonderment at the prints of famous paintings.  While in high  school my father, a factory worker encouraged me to enroll in an Industrial Arts program where I first became fascinated with drawing.  And, for as long as I can remember I have had a true appreciation for  the magical beauty of nature.  So, I guess it’s no wonder that while  serving in the Marines in Japan during the 1960’s I became transfixed by  the gorgeous flower gardens, ocean bay, Mt. Fuji and the glorious  cherry blossoms in the Spring.  I would learn later the significant  influence Japanese art had on the Impressionists of the 1800’s.

In  1995, I finally decided to see if l could actually make a painting and  in particular in the impressionist style; so I enrolled in a beginning  oil painting class at a local college that was taught by a very talented  artist, Mr. James Duis.   With some of the basics in place, thanks to  Mr. Duis, I then spent several years trying to perfect my own  impressionist painting technique.

Finally,  in 2002 I decided to go to the source and study impressionism in France  where it had originated.   I was able to locate an art study program in  Giverny lead by the accomplished abstract/impressionist artist, Gale Bennett.  He had held art study sessions in Giverny, France for over  fifteen years.   It was the perfect opportunity for me to learn how to  paint like the great impressionist artist of the middle to late 19th  century. Giverny is a very small town of about 500 people located in  the upper Normandy region, northwest of Paris.  It was the home of the  famous impressionist, Claude Monet for his final forty-three years.  I  was so inspired by the first experience that in 2006 I again was drawn  to Giverny for further study under Monsieur Bennett.  While in Giverny  we created paintings “en plein air” (out in nature) as those wonderful impressionists did over 155 years ago.  We enjoyed painting at many of  the same venues in Paris, along the Seine River and throughout the  Normandy countryside; including towns such as Vernon, La Roche Guyon,  Les Andelys,  Vertheuil and of course in and around Giverny.  However,  the most memorable paintings were actually completed in Monet’s very  beautiful garden and pond areas.  We were very fortunate as Art Study  participates to have exclusive access to Monet’s gardens every  afternoon.  It was a truly magical experience that will never to be forgotten.

Many  paintings are created “en plein air” while others are either completed  or created in my studio. The painting scenes are in the classical  impressionist style with their brightly-lit skies, reflections in  flowing water and multi-colored textured trees and flowers.

My paintings have found their way into homes all across the United States.