Joseph Paquet

Happy New Year to you!
 - Joe Paquet

New Works

Prairie Requiem     28" x 40"   $24,000

Some of my best friends paint from photography.

I choose not to work from photography or have a computer screen next to my easel. Don't get me wrong; I have no problem with anyone who works from photography. It simply doesn't work for me.

Frankly, I am envious at times and would enjoy the convenience. 

Its pretty alluring, the idea of having an unlimited amount of time to paint some fleeting effect in the wind-free warmth of one's studio, taking breaks when the mood strikes. Ah, the comfort and control. 

The image of the Artist pondering a large painting in their studio has become the archetype of what an artist is: what's not to like?

Its all there--the alchemy, intrigue and solitary romanticism of the creative process.

Honestly, I love the sound of it. 
 
The problem for me is that I can never get what I need most in my studio and  that is the energy of a place - its something I need to feel, not just see.
 
Places hold the energy of their histories and if you are very still and humble they will whisper their stories to you. 
 
Standing at edge of the prairie in the wind-blown snow and simply taking in the sound of a banging strip of roof tin transports me to another place. The fragrance of old hay, the feel of snow giving way under my boots, the cold, the discomfort, the profound sense that life here was never easy.

Everything on that homestead resonated a palpable, low-grade vibration of lonely dreams, earnest effort and slim margins.
If I could get all that from a photo I'd be all over it.
 
It's essential for me to be fully engaged, mentally, physically and spiritually to wring the most from an experience. The natural, sensory friction in the process of working from life is the leavening agent that expands my possibilities of reception. 
With greater reception I can go deeper.
 
I'd enjoy the ease and convenience of photography but I prefer to feel things, and by necessity that means giving over to the experience and often being uncomfortable.
 
I don't wear my discomforts of painting outdoors as a badge of honor, but the necessary price of admission to connection.
 
If I am successful, all of those feelings and experiences are woven into the paint and perhaps the painting will be something more than another picture.

Morning-Sabrina-Basin-18x24
Morning, Sabrina Basin   18" x 24"   $8,900
Evening-South-Lake-18x24
Evening, South Lake   18" x 24"   $8,900

Recent Awards 
20th Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational

2nd Place, Award of Excellence, LAPA
Fine Art Connoisseur Award of Excellence  
Golden-Hour-Main-Beach-20x24
Golden Hour, Main Beach    20" x 24"

Workshops 2019

Wayne Art Center
3-Day Plein Air Workshop, Wayne, PA 

May 20th - 22nd, 2019 (Monday - Wednesday)
Scent of Wet Blossoms   8" x 12"   $3,400 - SOLD
I look forward to this three-day workshop in Wyeth country.

Confronting the vagaries of working directly from nature is one thing. Making good subjective choices which lead to artistry is something else. During this three day workshop you will be introduced to methods and ways of looking which will help you with both.

This workshop is ideal for those who would like to be introduced to working with a prismatic palette from life or for those who want a refresher to start off their summer painting.

All levels welcome - just bring humility and a healthy respect for nature! Note to students: Teaching is tailored to your level so all levels are welcome. My only requirement is that you enter the class humble to nature and open to new information.
 

24th Annual St. Paul, Minnesota
3-Day Summer Plein Air Workshop

Friday, May 31st - Sunday, June 2nd, 2019

This workshop is ideal for those who would like to be introduced to working with a prismatic palette from life or for those who want a refresher to start off their Summer painting.

Cost: $650


Madeline Island, Wisconsin Madeline Island School of the Arts
5-Day Plein Air Workshop

Monday - Friday, July 8th - 12th, 2019
Hours: 9am - 4pm (1-Hour Lunch) 
Ojibwe Sunrise     28" x 40"   $24,000
This will be my 6th year teaching on this lovely and unique Island.
 
This is a great destination workshop. There is plenty of variety to paint and Charles and the staff do an incredible job keeping you comfortable at the School. The facility is top notch.

This workshop will introduce you to the Prismatic Palette and its use in helping you capture the myriad light effects you are faced with when painting en plein air.  Correct use of the Prismatic Palette will help you judge values, using warm and cool tones to bring things forward and to push things back, and to depict light and shade, and to describe the type and time of day.

The first day, I will lecture and paint a demo explaining my process. The rest of the week will be spent outdoors painting my favorite Island locations. Students can expect to paint two images daily - one in the morning, and another in the afternoon.

Key factors such as rhythmic-connected drawing, underpainting, creating a profound sense of atmosphere and effectively using greens will be discussed.  I will work with you individually at your easel to address compositional and color issues, and will provide careful critique.

Note to students: Teaching is tailored to your level so all levels are welcome. My only requirement is that you enter the class humble to nature and open to new information.

Ogunquit Summer School of Art

4-Day Plein Air Workshop, Ogunquit, Maine

September 17th - 20th, 2019 (Tuesday - Friday)
Crisp-Morning-Chatham-8x12
Crisp Morning, Chatham    8" x 12"   $3,400
I look forward to the first workshop with Todd Bonita in Ogunquit Maine.

This workshop takes place in the coastal town of Ogunquit, Maine, home to one of America's original art colonies and a renowned plein-air painting summer school, founded by influential Perkins Cove Artist and teacher, Charles H. Woodbury in 1898. We will carry on a great artistic tradition by painting in this picturesque nook in the shadows of Homer, Hopper, Henri and the Wyeths.

Through demonstrations, discussions of the prismatic palette and plein-air painting, hands-on, side-by-side easel assistance in the field, Joe will guide us through the mysteries of seeing like an artist and cracking the codes to better painting.  
 

Joe Paquet Richeson Brush Set

I'm pleased to announce that the Richeson Art Materials Company has put together  a new Bristle Brush set for me. It contains a full range of flats along with a couple small rounds and egberts and includes brush soap.

Sets are available at:
In the Twin Cities at Wet Paint on Grand and  their website  (with free shipping with the contiguous U.S.). 
 

Sold

Golden Hour_ Main Beach
Golden Hour, Main Beach    20" x 24"   SOLD    $9,200
Sold at the 20th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational

Connect

To purchase paintings directly from Joe Paquet
Just call  (651) 485-5807 or email to discuss details and options.

Joe Paquet Painting Studio

Click here to subscribe to Joe Paquet's mailing list.