Plein Air Paintings by Canadian Painter Michael Brennan
Hi Michael! Tell me about your background and where your creative journey began.
I was born in Canada and lived in a few different cities throughout Southern Ontario over my life, most moves were because of school or job opportunities.
I have always been inspired to create art in one form or another because of the influence of family. As a child I was surrounded by the art of my grandfather and uncle - they created everything from pottery decorated like the ancient Greeks or Egyptians to sculptures in marble, clay and bronze, tomahawks like that of the Native Americans to finely rendered drawings and paintings… as a child seeing adults take art this seriously meant it wasn’t just a play time thing but a possible livelihood. Most importantly seeing such passion for a craft made me think even if I never became an artist I knew I would have to find my own passion for things to give life it’s meaning.
What led you to focus on landscape painting?
About four years ago I started to take a more critical look at my paintings, comparing them to artists I looked up to.
I realized most of my favourite artists worked from life. There is a special quality and spontaneity that comes from that.
So I decided to keep a practice to work my way up to outdoor painting, starting with sketching, watercolours then finally taking a workshop in plein air oil painting. After this I was hooked, not only was it a fun challenge to paint from life but it gave me an excuse to spend more time outdoors and in nature, something I love to do when I’m not making art.
Your paintings are often created outside from real-life observations. What do you enjoy about plein air painting, and what are some challenges you experience when working outdoors?
I really enjoy having an excuse to get outside. Growing up I took on many freelance gigs making digital art and animations with tight deadlines, often working late into evenings. I remember many beautiful summer months spent inside in front of a computer instead of under the stars.
Painting on location has so many challenges, but can be so gratifying when you're able to pull it off, you have the elements to contend with, wind, rain, cold, heat, insects, the other thing is learning to either paint fast enough to deal with changing lighting conditions or learning to paint from memory when your subject drives off or walks away.
Do you have a favorite place to paint, and if so, why?
I can’t say I have one favourite place to paint but I do tend to go back to the same spots because they are convenient
and I know my way around. I am naturally drawn to secluded nature trails because I like to get away from crowds of people, partially because I’m an introvert and enjoy spending my time painting in silence or while listening to music. Also I’m looking for those landscapes that give one a sense of awe and wonder.
How has your process evolved over the years?
I feel like I have developed a painting approach for myself.. like a method to fall back onto if I’m not sure what
to do next. But that can change at times. What changes most often is my colour palette - I like to use a limited palette of 4 colours because I find there is something beautiful about it’s simplicity, as to what those four colours are will be different from year to year. As time passes I do feel like I’m becoming looser and more spontaneous with my painting.
Which artists have influenced your work?
Probably all 19th century artists, I do have my favourites like Sorolla, Ilya Repin and Monet but almost every week I’m discovering an artist that was alive during the 19th century that blows my mind, it’s boggling to think of the talent that came out of that era, no other period in art history inspires me as much.
When did you join Instagram, and how has it impacted your art career?
I started using Instagram in late 2014. In 2010 I started seriously getting back into fine art painting so it made sense to use an app like instagram to share and catalog my art. Then when I got into plein air painting Instagram became the main method for documenting my paintings, it’s become a way of tracking time for me, helping me recall a time of year when I painted something or what the season was like on such and such a date. And of course finding friends and inspiration.
I can’t say that I have made a lot of sales directly through Instagram, but it has provided me with many opportunities indirectly.
What is your greatest accomplishment as an artist so far?
I am most proud of having my work purchased by the Mayor of Brampton (the city I live in) which was presented to the Ooni of Ife (The Nigerian Monarch) during his visit to the city this past year.
Also seeing that people enjoy looking at my work is rewarding.
Where do you hope to see yourself and your work in 5 years?
I would like to find more ways to combine and intersect my interests, like I did when finding plein air painting merged my love of art and the outdoors, not that all areas in our life need to merge in that way but sometimes I do think it would be interesting to find more ways to combine my love of philosophy with art, or my plein air practice with studio paintings. Possibly more projects where I take smaller plein air paintings and work them into larger studio paintings.
Follow Michael on Instagram at: macbfineart
Website: www.macb.ca