ARTIST STATEMENT
painting in an outdoor location is metaphysical in a way
because it allows the viewer the sense of
'being there in the moment'
The main focus in my work, is the feeling of being there.
It's important to me to record the first impression of the lighting on the subject I'm painting and the excitement that comes with it if it works out.
The piece is successful for me, if it contains a simulation of movement that's physical or emotional. For the viewer, removed from the atmosphere where the piece was created, the painting is intended to be a connection to a sense of place that they may recognize on some level. Since most all of my painting is done on an island or at Niagara Falls, I can forward that 'blue space' feeling to those who view my paintings.
We experience our world through external stimuli - sight, sound and feeling. An artist creating a painting en plein air has the unique edge of suggesting all three in a manner more effective than many other art forms.
There's that connection that happens when you are drawn to a certain painting, you know, the one you keep coming back to ? Doesn't mean you have to be in line with what the artist was thinking but, the artist has been successful, non the less, on a subconscious level.
The artist has engaged you in the painting.
J. R. Baldini
About the Artist. . .
As a child J. R., spent lunch hours in Munson Williams Proctor Institute Museum, when other children were on the playground. Always more at home in a solitary world that included books and art, and most fascinated by Thomas Cole (February 1, 1801 - February 11, 1848) was a nineteenth century American artist; is regarded as the founder of the Hudson River School, an American art movement that flourished in the mid-19th century and was concerned with the realistic and detailed portrayal of nature.) Series of paintings called the "Voyage of Life" and spent countless hours immersed in the atmosphere that these tremendously large paintings created.
At the age of 10, J.R.was sent to Munson Williams Proctor School of Art spending evenings and Saturday mornings immersed in the artists world that held such fascination.
Years ago when meeting the Hollywood and Broadway actor and artist Zero Mostel on the island, Zero was invited to a painting critique. He asked what we did at these critiques (which, had accumulated quite a following). With a feined look of horror on his face he boomed," art is to be appreciated not criticized!"
You have certainly heard someone comment-
I don't know much about art...
But, that is not true. Words aren't necessary to express appreciation for visual art, your spirit tells you when you are moved by a creation.
J.R. Baldini holds the degree of Master of Photography, earned for the excellence of prints in International competitions and educational achievements, from the Professional Photographers of America and the Craftsman degree earned by publishing articles, teaching and presenting educational programs to other professionals.
The artist organized the first International WORLDWIDE 'paint out' for Plein Air Painters Globally
IPAP is a blanket organization for International Plein Air Painting groups.
J. R. is represented by the
Niagara Fine Arts G A L L E R Y, Niagara Falls, Canada
The Pottery Place, Door County, WI
The Paint Pot, Ephraim, WI
J. R.'s paintings were on the World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists
See the tour published book on AMAZON HERE
Door County Invitational
(40 invited artists from the US and Canada)
Riverbrink Art Museum, Queesnston, Ontario May 21 - Nov 30, 2013
Green Drake Gallery, Millheim, PA. April 5-28, 2013
New Century Artists Gallery, Chelsea, NYC March 9 - 23, 2013
September 18 - January 4, 2009 - Terrace Gallery
City Hall Rotunda in Orlando, Florida
Door County Wisconsin April 21 - May 21, 2008
Fireside Lounge, Link Gallery
June 1 - July 6 in Estes Park, Colorado -Cultural Arts Center of Estes Park Fine Art Gallery
July 21 - August 18 in Qualicum Beach, Vancouver - Old School House Art Center
Port Clyde Art Gallery- Invitational - August 2019 - Port Clyde, Maine
Professional Organizations
World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists 2001 - 2013
Landscape Painters International
Gallery Representation
The Paint Box, Ephraim, Wisconsin
Publications
Author of the forthcoming book Permission Granted
Far and Near Horizons, March 2013 Available on AMAZON
Plein Air American Artist April 2010
Coastal Living May 2010
American Artist Magazine April 2008 - article
Infoto Professional Photo Magazine
Professional Agent Magazine
Photo Imaging for Canadians
The Wall Street Journal on line
Lexus Magazine in the UK ( Feb 2003) International Artists
Caribbean Travel Planner Magazine (April 2003) World art workshops
Monhegan Anthology published poetry book (June 2003)
Monhegan Ropeshed published poetry (June 2003)
Selected Group Exhibitions
Port Clyde Art Gallery- Invitational - August 2019 - Port Clyde, Maine
Monhegan Island, Maine - Artist Exhibit and Reception
Queenston Fall Show, Queenston, Ontario
New Century Artists Gallery - Manhattan, NYC
Green Drake Gallery, Milheim, PA
Door County Fine Art Invitational - Peninsula School of Art
Seamans Church Institute, NYC
Cultural Arts Center of Estes Park Fine Art Gallery
Plantation Gallery, Monhegan Island, Maine
Yellow Door Gallery, Utica New York
Cabbages & Kings, Clinton, NY
International Plein Air Painters 2nd,3rd,4th WORLDWIDE Paint Out Exhibit
Schoolhouse Gallery, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
Orlando Gallery, Orlando Florida
Pumphouse Summer show 2007
Willowbank Thanksgiving Show 2007
Karpeles Museum - 3 person show June-July 2007
St. Augustine Gallery - September 2007
Willowbank Annual, Queenston, Ontario, 2006
Awards
Fuji Masterpiece Portfolio III Cover - Kristina's World
American Society of Photographers Traveling Loan
American Society of Photographers Regional Medallion Award
Professional Photographers of America International Loan Collection
New York State Fuji Masterpiece Award
320 print case award NYS Convention
Judges Choice Award NYS Convention
Distinguished Award NYS
Buffalo-Niagara TEP- Best of Show
Bank of Utica Purchase award
Alexander Rouseneau Purchase award
PPA International Loan Collection, New Orleans
NYS Court of Honor
PPA International Loan Collection, Orlando
2 Fuji Masterpiece Awards, New York
320 pin NYS
3 NYS Courts of Honor
Buffalo-Niagara TEP - Best of Show
Baldini has conducted workshops for the Professional Photographers of America School of Photography
in Atlanta and for the Central Adirondack Art Center in Old Forge, NY, and conducts an annual
workshop on Monhegan Island, Maine , St, Lucia , West Indies, Greece and numerous workshops
in Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York.
Teaching workshop on Monhegan Island and the Greek Isles workshop was Fabulous !!
September 2019, Mykonos. Greece en plein air painting workshop
January 2023 Negril, Jamaica see workshop page for info.
Baldini is a past program speaker for the PPA International Convention
J. R., a native New Yorker, living and working in Niagara Falls, Canada has paintings in the US,
Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe in both private and public collections.
