Hello spring, hello plein air painting!

Day 1, painting in Hinsdale, NH


With this recent, amazing weather, I have been eager to get outside, break out the easel, and paint.  For the past week I've been painting in Hinsdale, NH, which is about 20 minutes south east of Brattleboro. You may wonder why I set my easel up on the pavement as opposed to the grass. I positioned myself in this spot, to get just the sight that you see in this picture, with the barn peaking in from the right hand side and the ridge of the landscape and mountains in the background. However, after about three hours into the painting, something just didn't feel right. With any artform, you may think you have an idea, but in the making, instinct and reflection may say different. And in this case, my gut was telling me that I needed to simplify and eliminate.The barn just had to go. Despite it seeming like a nice idea at first, I had to get ride of it entirely. Though this particular work still remains somewhat unresolved, now the painting feels has a little bit more breathing room, and in fact, and feels more peaceful. I have since scraped down this painting twice more and repainted the surface again. After three days outside, this painting will now go to the studio where I will work from memory and incorporate a little invention to bring it to completion.

They're BACK! Flat Street Brew Pub and March's Gallery Walk!

"Wash", oil on canvas, 24x24, 2012

Tomorrow I will be installing some brand-spanking new paintings at Flat Street Brew Pub & Tap Room for Gallery Walk, (Friday, March 2nd, 5:30-8:30) and throughout the month of March. As I illustrate in my preceding post, for the past month I've been at work on some new paintings in the studio, most of which are inspired by my own romanticizing of a "real" Vermont winter graced with gently powdered roads. As a native New Englander, this has been one of the most snow-less winters that I can ever remember, and to be honest, it's been kind of depressing. I'm not even an avid skiier. I think it's that snow conjures up feelings of comfort for me, and a sense of time, and celebration of seasons. Funny is though, as I write this post, I am smiling as snow now falls outside my window in my periphery. Oh snow! Oh snow! You've come to visit, at last! Just in time!

Now about Flat Street Brew Pub...not only is this place just an all-around great place to hang out with friends (with an impressively ample beer selection), but now more than ever, it is a true symbol of resilience, community and overcoming adversity. If you live in Brattleboro or frequent here, you saw and heard how badly this special place was hit by the wretched storm of Irene and her flooding waters. Of all the commercial establishments in town, Flat Street was hit the hardest, which was a huge loss for everyone and most obviously a great devastation to its owners and dedicated employees. The great news however, is that with a humongous community effort and great labor of love by its owners and staff, they were remarkably able to re-open the bar just a few couple months ago, and as of this week, have their kitchen back up and running with a full bar menu in swing!Yipee!

So come on down to the Flat Street Brew Pub this Friday night for Gallery Walk from 5:30-8:30, grab yourself a beer and a burg and catch the last glimpse of winter on the walls before it's gone!

Flat Street Brew Pub & Tap Room

	6 Flat Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Phone	1 802.257.1911
Website	http://flatstreet.net
Hours (estimated)	Mon: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Tue: 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm Wed: 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm Thu - Sat: 12:00 pm - 12:00 am Sun: 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm

When there's no snow, you make it...well, in the studio at least!

It's been a rather uneventful winter here in Brattleboro, VT, at least in terms of the typical snow storm and expected winter blanket that usually covers the ground at this time. The is true for much of the surrounding areas here in the Northeast. It seems there's a 50/50 response to this situation, which is either, "Horay, we're getting to spring faster!", or " Dang, what a bummer of a winter!". I have to admit, I side with the latter half. Though, I am still hopeful that we'll get slammed with a wonderous winter storm before the end of March, or who knows, maybe the first of April, like last year. Until then, it seems I am making my own snow in the studio, reminiscing about past winters and that beautiful peacefulness a fresh blanket of snow conjures up.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER EXHIBITION & OPEN STUDIO! Friday, Jan. 6th 5:30-8:30 pm

Happy New Year and Welcome, January 2012!

January 2012 | Brattleboro Gallery Walk: Featuring the artwork of Karen Schmitz

I'm excited to share that I will be exhibiting the colorful and luminous paintings by the talented, Karen Schmitz during January's Gallery Walk! Nope, not a coincidence in names- Yup, that's my mother. I am delighted to share her work with the Bratteboro community next month and pay homage to the woman who is probably single-handedly responsible for my own artistic capacity and journey!

Karen Schmitz, oil on canvas

Cameron Schmitz Fine Art Studio* Gallery Walk: January 2012

22 High St., 4th floor 

www.karenschmitz.com

Alongside Cameron Schmitz’s recent work are the luminous landscapes and pet portraits by painter, Karen Schmitz, who also happens to be Cameron’s mother! Karen Schmitz has been painting for over 40 years and her colorist oil paintings include portraiture, New England landscapes and contemporary pet portraits. Her vivid expression of color and light reflect her passion and enthusiasm for conveying the many shades of beauty found within nature and the loving faces of our four-footed friends. Karen studied under prominent artists including Charles Movalli and David Dunlop, in addition to her studies at The Hudson Valley Art School, Silvermine Art School, and California State Las Angeles. In addition to her painting, Karen is also an interior decorator; She owns and operates Karen's Interiors & Design Studio with her husband, Jonathan Schmitz, which has been in business for over 30 years, located in Cos Cob, CT. 

Please come meet Karen Schmitz and visit this exciting and synergistic duo-exhibition of mother and daughter paintings on Friday, January 6th at the studio of Cameron Schmitz, 22 High Street, Brattleboro, VT! For more images of Karen’s artwork you can visit www.karenschmitz.com

Miss Gertrude Barker Bones, oil on linen, 20x20

Django, oil on linen, 20x20

Huckleberry, oil on linen, 20x20

Marks of Passage, opening reception at The Drawing Room

Come support art and local business on "Small Business Saturday", this Saturday, November 26. I hope to see you there!

View from Putney

Oil on panel


Here is one of my most recent oils painted en plein air in Putney, VT. I returned to a beautiful farmhouse that my husband and I considered renting back in July when we were first looking for apartments around the Brattleboro area. The farmhouse and the land surrounding it is absolutely exquisite, but the cost of living in that beautiful 1st floor apartment, well, not so exquisite when we realized how much it would cost to heat. So, although we rationally but sadly turned it down, I realized that perhaps Jeff Shumlin, the landlord would be okay with me returning, and he was. And I am almost certain that I will be back again. Thank you, Jeff!

New Painting from explorations eastbound

Oil on Canvas, 30x30


Here is a recent painting that I  have been working on which I think is finished. (Think) Although this panting illustrates a similar subject matter that is familiar to what I focused on during my "HERE" series using only text, what is different here is that I am trying to use only the marks that I need.  Distill it down to what is only necessary. When interested in repetition and mark making as I am, this can often become one of my biggest challenges in painting...I must continually remind myself to not to overwork a painting and take moments to pause. It's about creating a painting that has layers of complexity while also keeping the initial concept and visual idea fresh and coherent. In order to this this,  I often must force myself to walk away from a painting for a couple of weeks in order to gain a fresh perspective.  Sometimes leaving town and having multiple days go by without seeing a painting can help achieve this. Well, I did this here, and returned back to my studio a few days ago, mixed up some fresh paint, went back into it, and am now I wait.... for when my painting finally says to me, "Okay, Cameron, you can sign me now! ". I hope that my upcoming show at The Drawing Room down in Cos Cob, CT that opens next week, will nudge this particular painting to send me this message!

Translations of South Road, Marlboro, VT

"Translations of South Road", Oil on panel, 10x10

New plein air paintings at Edgewater Gallery & Copley Society of Art

I have been quite enjoying my recent ventures painting en plein air around Southern Vermont and New Hampshire and I am including some of these paintings in two upcoming exhibitions that are quite exciting. Edgewater Gallery's current show titled, "Short Stories" will be featuring a few of these newest paintings of mine, in the great company of some really wonderful artists.

"Lifting Fog", oil on panel, 10x10

" October Turning", oil on panel, 10x10

"Shifting Yet Again", oil on panel, 10x10

The actual concept and installation of this exhibit is playful, witty and creative. The show is quite conceptual and hung in a way as if it was a story book written on the wall, and each artist is a line on a page, some with moments of pause, some with a collection of thoughts together, and some that slowly trickle like a piece of poetry. 

 In addition to Edgewater's small works show, I will be including one of my recent plein air oil paintings at the Copley Society of Art's "Holiday Small Works Show". 

"Simple Structures", oil on panel, 10x10

Open Studio during Gallery Walk, this Friday, November 4th

Things to come....last show of 2011 at The Drawing Room!

Come take a break from all those Thanksgiving leftovers and join me at The Drawing Room Boutique & Cafe. Here, I will be exhibiting my oil paintings and drawings of 2011.

Vermont Art Zine

http://vermontartzine.blogspot.com/2011/10/press-release-cameron-schmitz-disaster.html

Interview and Featured spotlight on WVTK Radio, aired October 3rd

Just finished installing my new show at the JACKSON GALLERY!

It's both delightful and nerve wracking to install a new exhibit but thanks to the help of artist, Kate Gridley, we got everything hung and in place in less than three hours. Yay! Oil paintings ranging from as large as 30x30 to as small as 6x6. A little something for everyone. I hope that you will have a chance to visit Middlebury Vermont's Town Hall Theater, and specifically the Jackson Gallery, located on the ground floor. Viewing hours are Mon-Sat, Noon- 5pm. The opening reception will he held during Middlebury's ArtsWalk on Friday, October 14 from 5-7pm

Remember, 20% of sale proceeds from this show will be donated directly to the 

Vermont Disaster Relief Fund!

 

Another Day exploring along the Retreat Trails

Upcoming exhibition and benefit for the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund!

Open Studio!

Come visit my studio Friday, September 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m for Brattleboro's First Friday Gallery Walk. Share your insight on recent work, snack on some local Vermont cheese (of course, I would never deprive you) and then visit all of the great local venues exhibiting art in this great town of Brattleboro. There's lots of art to be scene, I am just one of them!

New Studio-High Street, Brattleboro

Works in Progress: August 2011

Finally getting settled into a new studio located in the Midtown Mall on High Street! Here are some paintings currently in progress!

Ch-Ch-Changes

Brattleboro Retreat Trails: inspiration for a current painting in progress and possibly one of my many transient studios

Okay, so that REALLY large 800 sq foot studio that I was was so eagerly anticipating--well it didn't pan out. I am trusting the fact that perhaps, this particular studio that I envisioned myself in, just wasn't meant to be. There's a reason why this didn't happen--and I am curious what I will eventually discover that reason to be. Fortunately, I like to always prepare for the worst while hoping for the best. That being said, I purchased a new traveling easel last month after some research. I contacted a few professional landscape painters who do much of their painting en plein air, and discovered an excellently constructed traveling easel that is actually handcrafted in Vermont (a wonderful coincidence), that can hold rather large and weighty painting supports. (Something that my french easels could never withstand) This easel was once referred to as the "Gloucester Easel". Tobin Nadeau, the son of the family's easel design now makes these, carrying on the tradition. Good bye french easels and hello Take-it-Easel, I am ready to travel with you all around my new home of Brattleboro, Vermont and along all the beautiful, bountiful paths extending out and around. "Blue Velvet", my smooth Town & Country Van IS my studio, or at least filled to the brim with all of my essential studio supplies that I couldn't bare (nor fit) into my storage unit that I had to purchase to partially store my studio until I can find something permanent. Thank you Tobin Nadeau for your helpful demonstration on set up---it's so refreshing to purchase a studio product that is not only constructed with  beautifully crafted skill, but also that is made locally. Thank you to painters, Eric Tobin and Philip Koch for leading me in the right direction. By the way, I highly recommend visiting Philip's blog, where he always offers an interesting read and discussion of painting.


Now a new resident of Brattleboro, it's time to explore and to see where this great town and area will help me discover and realize. I am enamored by the absolute kindness and welcome that I have personally felt here so far. Here's something that I love: This afternoon I went exploring into back winding roads of West Brattleboro and I parked into someone's overgrown farm pasture gate, so that I could draw. I did wonder if I should be there, knowing it was someone's private property. After about 10 minutes there a woman walked down to me kindly introduced herself. When I then asked her if it was okay for me to be there, she repeatedly THANKED me for simply choosing her property to draw. She was delighted, and as she left she turned back and and invited me to come back in the fall to her and her husband's property, while they were away to pick apples. "Please, pick as many apples as you would like--we are not here to enjoy them" Really? I so love Vermont.

New paintings in progress: summer walks

These are three new paintings currently in progress in my studio.  As I mentally and spiritually prepare myself for packing up my studio up in the next few weeks, I am looking to my daily walks as a place of for inspiration and reflection. I have enjoyed my last four years living in Vergennes, and have experienced some pretty wonderful long walks. These walks serve as not only a place of inspiration, but often also, serve as a place of refuge. Long walks help me in problem solving both artistically and in my personal life, and are often wherenew ideas can become stirred.

Artistic Plans of 2011-2012

Well it's been quite an exciting spring. I was a part of edgewater gallery's spring/summer show, "Textures of Us", which was extended until the end of June.

http://www.edgewatergallery-vt.com/textures-of-us.html

I was also and proud to be included in Silvermine Guild Art Center's  62nd Annual Art of the Northeast, juried by Tom Eccles, and to be the first winner of Art for Progress international competition, Clash of the Artists. This concluded with a very fun weekend exhibition in Chelsea, NYC at Headquarters Studio, where I was able to meet some wonderful new artists and art lovers...oh wait, and I also just became married. What a wonderfully busy spring it has been!

In August I will be moving my studio down to Brattleboro, VT where we will be moving. I am looking forward to meeting new a new community that seems to be bubbling with creativity, artists and art-lovers, small businesses and great people.

It will be an exciting time for me creatively. Naturally, with any major change in my life brings with it a shift within my work and artistic focus, along with new thoughts or reconsidered ideas.  Though I am the ultimate director of my art, my art seemingly directs me along my unique artistic path. With this move I keep my fingers crossed for a more spacious studio. I think that this increased space will allow me to move more seamlessly between mediums because of added work stations,  and this will give me space to better see works in relation to others. You can never fully undestand your art, without having space to really see it, and see it in relation to the other work made that it connects to. Having space to not only make more work and show more work, but to share with others is quite exciting!

Clash of the Artists 2011, Opening Receptions

Join me at the Clash of the Artists opening reception in Tribecca, NY on Friday, May 13th! 

Headquarters Gallery

385 Broadway, 2nd Floor

Tribeca, NYC (Walker & White)

Public Reception is from 7pm- 9:30 pm

RSVP to events@artforprogress.org

This compelling show will include five of my own paintings, along with the works of  Carmen Ghecca from Barcelona, Spain, Pablo Damas from Fontana, CA and Paula Collins from New York, NY. There will be a special VIP Preview Reception from 6-7pm with wine, appetizers and live acoustic performance by Barry Komitor.
 

 Link to Art for Progress

First Place Winner: Cameron Schmitz Art for Progress, Clash of the Artists, 2011

Art For Progress presents "Clash of the Artists 2011"

Headquarters Gallery
New York (Tribeca), NY

Art For Progress presents Clash of the Artists 2011
Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14th

Annual Benefit for Arts Education

Join AFP for two exciting nights of international art, music and fashion.

Clash of the Artists 2011!

Friday, May 13th

Special VIP Preview Reception. Meet the winning artists, designers, and musicians while enjoying fine wine and gourmet bites. 
Featuring artwork from artists:

-Cameron Schmitz (Vergennes, VT)
-Carmen Ghecca (Barcelona, Spain)
-Pablo Damas (Fontana, CA)
-Paula Collins (New York, NY), winner, creative category

 

 

 

 

 

April 2011 Exhibitions @ Edgewater Gallery & Silvermine Arts Guild

62nd Art of the Northeast - April 17th  through June 3rd 

 

One of the most anticipated regional juried shows of the year open to all media and artists throughout New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  This year's juror is Tom Eccles, Executive Director, Cener for Curatorial Studies, Bard College, New York.  Opening Reception:  Saturday, April 16th 4pm to 7pm.

 

  

 

 

 

Through light, color and paint, artists Gloria Gaddis, Mary B. Harrington, Rebecca Kinkead, Cynthia Kirkwood, Lisa Noonis and Cameron Schmitz investigate the appearance of the humun figure's rough and smooth textures.