John Zurier Nocturnes

John Zurier
Exile, 2007
distemper on linen
20" x 24"
Night 29, 2008
distemper on linen
30" x 20"
Night 28, 2008
distemper on linen
30" x 20"

Nature’s Light, 2004
oil on linen
48” x 32”

Inspiration and Painting Progress

I'm in the middle of a new painting right now, tentatively titled, "A Boundary, Not A Thing". Here's some of the art I've been browsing in books and online for inspiration and to reference for the new painting:

James Whistler, "Nocturne: Trafalgar Square: Chelsea Snow", 1876
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Caspar David Friedrich, Monk by the Sea, 1809
Source: Wikimedia Commons via Some Landscapes Blog
James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Harmony in blue and silver: Trouville (1865)
Source: Wikimedia Commons via Some Landscapes Blog
"Moonlight on Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire," by William Trost Richards, 1873
Source: Resonant Enigma Blog

J. Alden Weir, "The Bridge: Nocturne" aka ""Queensboro Bridge", 1910
Washington Allston, "Moonlight Landscape", 1819Michael Schall, Smoke Factory Malfunction, graphite on paper, 40" x 60", 2007.
Claude-Joseph Vernet, "Night, A Port in Moonlight", 1772

(last night)(still in progress)

Inspiration: Remington's Nocturnes

Frederic S. Remington (1861–1909) "The Old Stage-Coach of the Plains", 1901, Oil on canvas, Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas



I've been digging into Frederic Remington's nocturne/night paintings again recently. I had the great fortune to see an entire exhibition of his night time paintings a few years ago. His use of color in this series is fascinating - unusual blue-greens, subtle golden-taupe-greens, and vibrant blues - frequently contrasted with the rich oranges of candle or firelight. I highly recommend the book devoted to these works called "Frederic Remington: The Color of Night" by Nancy Anderson. Even if western art isn't your subject matter of choice, I think there is a lot to be learned from the palette of Remington. The more I flip through this book, the more intrigued I've become with these paintings. My next body of work for the exhibition in June will surely be influenced by Remington's coloring.