‘American Impressionists In France,’ At River Glen Gallery

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery will host the opening reception for its next exhibition, “American Impressionists in France,” on Sunday, December 11, from 1 to 4 pm.

The exhibition features new works in pastel, watercolor and oil by Frank Federico and new works in pastel and oil by Dick McEvoy. It will remain on view until January 29. The public is invited to view the new collection and meet both of the artists, who plan to be at the reception.

The two artists spent ten days in France earlier this year. They sketched in many of the French Impressionists’ favorite haunts including Monmarte, Luxembourg Garden and along the Seine in Paris.

They met with Sylvie Cabal, president of Art du Pastel in France, in Giverny on a Monday – when Monet’s gardens are closed to the general public. Ms Cabal met Mr Federico and Mr McEvoy with easels, pastels and paper, and they had the grounds virtually to themselves.

After Giverny, Mr Federico and Mr McEvoy toured through Provence and completed sketches and paintings in Arles, Les Baux, Montfrin, Avignon and other beautiful towns and villages.

A few of Mr McEvoy’s completed paintings will be shown with the sketches he created while working in France. In contrast, Mr Federico works on-site, painting directly onto a canvas that will be worked into a final painting.

This is the fourth show that has come as a result of the two artists traveling together. Previous shows have featured works created while the men traveled in Portugal, Cape Cod and Santa Fe.

Dick McEvoy, who lives in Newtown, is represented by River Glen Fine Arts Gallery and also Picture This Gallery in Westport. He paints en plein aire whenever possible, and also paints from sketches and photos in his newly built studio overlooking Taunton Lake in Newtown.

Goshen-based artist Frank Federico has been called “the official artist of the Litchfield Jazz Fest,” of which he was a co-founder. He began his career as a young boy in New Orleans, painting vibrant landscapes of the bayou, sketching the jazz musicians who played the clubs along Bourbon Street, and making a living by exhibiting and selling his work to tourists.

Today Mr Federico is affiliated with River Glen Gallery, Copley Art Society in Boston, Elaine Beckwith Gallery in Jamaica, Vt., SoHo Gallery in Branchville, PS Gallery in Litchfield, and The Gallery in Burlingame, Calif. He boats an extensive résumé  of shows and awards.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery is at 3 Washington Avenue (Route 34) in Sandy Hook. Gallery hours are Tuesday from noon to 4 pm and Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm. Call 270-1199 for additional information.