Colorado artist Jean Perry made her initial entry into fine art with abstract “nonobjective art,” she says, “but there was always a part of me that felt I was missing something by not pursuing traditional art.”

Her focus began to change while taking a weeklong workshop conducted by Mel Fillerup, and she went on to enroll in workshops and classes that focused on representational art. “Today it doesn’t matter whether I am standing on the side of a hill in Portugal or by a stream in Colorado, there is always a certain excitement about painting landscapes on location,” Perry says. “You feel you are part of the very scene you are painting. My challenge is to include this feeling and vitality into the painting and share it with others. Some of these small paintings are complete, and some are used as reference for large paintings in my studio, but because I have spent time on location, I usually have a great deal more information than if I just used a photograph.”

Jean Perry

Mountain Gold
Oil
8″x10″

“This location is one of my favorites; I have done several paintings here. It is on the east side of the Zirkel Mountains, in an area of small ponds that lead into a larger lake. On this day, I knew what my composition was going to be, since I was familiar with the area, and I could focus on the colors of the sky and complete this small plein air painting before the sun set.”

Jean Perry

September’s Song
Oil
38″x30″

“I love the design and calligraphy of the mountain aspen trees. The young branches are usually dark black, and the contrast of the white trunk is very dramatic. In this painting, I chose the trees in autumn, when most of the leaves have fallen, and you can clearly see the branches. I added the highlights of a setting sun.”