AT HEART AN AMERICAN PAINTER
Tom Bluemlein, leading American Impressionist, is today's counterpart to 19th century European master. Absolutely a modern man in his sensibilities, Bluemlein's style evokes the Old World, but the eye of his canvas is very much fixed in the New World. What makes Bluemlein Impressionism distinctly American? It is more than the painters origin or the locale of his paintings, which recreate scenes from the Appalachian Mountains to Ohio Valley woodlands, the terrain of the Southwest or the shores of Maui. A new world energy enlivens vistas of imposing landscapes and waterscapes, looking as unspoiled as when first settled by pioneers and cowboys.
The artist's canvas pulls the viewer into the featured site, carried away to another place if not another time. Tom celebrates nature, capturing not only the beauty of the landscape but also the life force of the creation. He captures the spirit of the locale, not just the natural elements on view within the canvas. His paintings reach out to invite the viewer-a silent partner in all Bluemlein's creative effort-to linger and come to the scene and even get lost in it.
Bluemlein follows the golden rule of painting-he only paints what interests him, and Tom loves the outdoors. His preferred studio space is the open air, and his travels provide lively inspiration. Following a tactile technique, he applies the paint on the canvas as if each brush stroke was a piece of fabric placed by the hand of the quilt maker.Once the "pieces" of paint are all assembled, he then "stitches" the pieces together by rubbing to blur the edges of one color with another. His palette highlights earthly hues with bold colors creating a homogenous presentation of sky, water and land. A true Impressionist, he masters the power of light with a stroke and jot of his brush to capture a strong focused light.
A native Kentuckian, Tom Bluemlein studied with several master from Woodstock, New York, to Cincinnati, Ohio and Santa Fe, New Mexico. With an art career spanning three decades, Tom enjoys mentoring other artists, especially through his workshops and painting demonstrations.
Tom is currently President of the American Impressionist Society, and the Oil Painters of America, where he is a signature member. The Indiana Plein Air Painters and The Society of Marine Artists.
By Dr. Bruce Peters