PHOTOS: Artist Russel Whitten Helms an Ogunquit Art Association Painting Workshop at the Robert Laurent Farm Studio

Ogunquit Art Association (OAA) artist-member Russel Whitten hosted a captivating plein air painting workshop this past Friday, July 12th, at the Robert Laurent farm studio in Cape Neddick. Blessed with perfect summer weather, a group of enthusiastic artists spent the day immersed in the beauty of the Maine landscape.

The workshop delved into the techniques of directly observing and translating form and its surroundings onto the canvas. With a focus on watercolor painting, Whitten, a seasoned artist who honed his skills at The Art Students League of New York and Heartwood College of Art, guided participants in capturing the essence of the Laurent property.

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Photos of the Russel Whitten Plein Air Painting Workshop at the Robert Laurent Farm Studio (by OAA Artist Member + President – Ogunquit Arts Collaborative/Barn Gallery, Deidre O’Flaherty)

A video biography of Robert Laurent (by The Met) that includes some wonderful vintage Ogunquit / Perkins Cove footage.

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The historic significance of this Ogunquit Art Association (OAA) workshop’s location wasn’t lost on the attendees. Robert Laurent, born in Concarneau, Brittany, France in 1890, became a pivotal figure in American art partly through his association with the OAA (which he was juried into in 1949).

Mentored by Hamilton Easter Field, an influential art critic and collector, Laurent’s artistic journey began in earnest when Field took him to Rome in 1908. After formal training in Europe and a brief return to his native Brittany during World War I, Laurent settled permanently in the United States. His lasting impact on the art scene was felt most profoundly in Ogunquit, Maine, where he and Field established the Ogunquit Summer School of Graphic Arts in 1911, pioneering a modernist approach that attracted notable artists like Marsden Hartley and Yasuo Kuniyoshi. Laurent’s contributions extended beyond teaching sculpture and wood carving; he co-founded the Hamilton Easter Field Foundation and his works are now held in esteemed collections including the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Whitten’s workshop paid homage to Laurent’s heritage with participants using the culturally significant farmhouse and studio as a central theme.

Whitten emphasized the importance of perspective, particularly in capturing the play of afternoon shadows. He also provided instruction on mastering watercolor techniques, guiding participants in recreating the natural world through the use of surrounding forms and a keen eye for color and value.

This engaging workshop proved to be a wonderful opportunity for local artists to hone their skills and connect with the rich artistic heritage of the Ogunquit Art Association.