Jason Pritchard uses the medium of oil to capture atmospheric coastal scenes with the intention of illustrating a sense of space and connection to the New England region that he loves.

Utilizing the practice of en plein air painting (painting outdoors to capture the subject in its natural setting) for smaller pieces, Pritchard then uses these pieces as preparatory studies for larger paintings, combining them with photographs that he takes while visiting the areas depicted in his work. He then completes the final piece in his studio.

"It’s important for me to visit the location to access the feeling of what it’s about to help replicate my sense of reaction back onto the canvas," Pritchard said. "Few things make me happier than taking a nice long walk along a beach, hearing the sound of the tide crashing nearby as I explore both physically, then later in my mind’s eye, the thoughts of my experience back into my painting. I embrace the process of unpacking those memories and calibrating the colors, the shifting light and the changing weather elements back in my studio. These variables prompt the type of brush movement, hues and tones I enlist which are often wrapped under an impressionistic skyline, intending to heighten the mood of my paintings further."

The British-born American artist is best known for his seascape oil paintings of New England. He grew up in East Anglia in the UK, a region that inspired British landscape painters such as John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough who he greatly admires.

During his childhood, his father owned a family printing business, so there was always an abundance of spare paper to hone his drawing skills from an early age. In his 20s, Pritchard moved to London and took up watercolor painting prior to moving to New York in 2005, where he studied oil painting at the Art Students League of New York for several years.

Recent accomplishments include being selected as a 2020 Emerging Artist by Cape Cod Art Magazine, acknowledging his growing body of Cape Cod Seascapes paintings. He has exhibited work in New York City, Long Island, and his home region of Connecticut.

Dates: December 14, 2024 through February 4, 2025

Location: South Gallery