Home / Arts and Entertainment / Saranac Lake Artist Captures Local Spirit
Saranac Lake Artist Captures Local Spirit
21 Nov
Summary
- Artist Michael Burpoe's exhibition "Here" celebrates Saranac Lake's unique culture.
- He uses watercolor for its expressive and portable qualities in his plein air work.
- Burpoe signs his art with his middle name, Czerny, honoring his Polish heritage.
Artist Michael Burpoe's solo exhibition, "Here," offers a fresh perspective on life in Saranac Lake, capturing the area's distinctive culture and people. Burpoe, who grew up in Saranac Lake, returned after working remotely as a graphic designer, dedicating his art to depicting everyday activities and the unique character of the region. He feels that traditional plein air artists often overlook the interesting aspects of the local community.
Burpoe favors watercolor for its expressive nature and portability, allowing him to paint anywhere. He notes the medium's spontaneity, where colors can blend and flow uniquely on the page. Unlike oil or acrylics, watercolor kits are compact, making them ideal for his travels and outdoor painting sessions. His artistic process involves light sketching followed by layering colors from light to dark, utilizing the paper itself for white highlights.
