Goetemann Artist Residency Blog

A lovely evening to see all the work that Jason accomplished during his month-long residency — and he accomplished a lot.

He spent as much time as possible painting outdoors, sometimes with local artists Caleb Stone and Stephen LaPierre.

In his own words: “Painting’s a process. I spent about 1 to 3 hours on each painting. I’m trying to get truth in my paintings: atmosphere and changes. This residency was a big push to give me a purpose.”

It’s hard to maintain the support that a young artist gets from teachers and peers in art school. Jason used every minute of his residency to build a support network and to get the work done.

And, he says: “It’s a blast being around Rocky Neck.”

Special moment: The sister-in-law of Residency founder Gordon Goetemann attended. Dawn Steele Dexter, Judy Goetemann’s sister, added the perfect ending to the evening: “I know Gordy would be so proud.”

Jason Burroughs, the Gloucester Invitational Artist for 2019, is holding his closing talk May 30, 5 PM. He’ll be at the Goetemann Studio, 77 Rocky Neck Ave. (across from Marine Railways). Come hear about the busy month he’s had painting in and around Gloucester, and see the work he’s done. Like all Residency talks, it’s free!

Spring is finally here in New England —and so the 15th annual Goetemann Artist Residency program has begun. Monday night, May 6, Gloucester Invitational Artist Jason Burroughs gave us an overview of his artistic heritage and training, as well as a hint of what’s to come this month during his residency.

For a Gloucester boy, Jason has, not surprisingly, been attracted to the harbor, its piers and pylons. In fact, pylons, with their “long verticals and repetition of lines and forms” figure in many of Jason’s early pieces, which focused on sculpture.

Once Jason graduated from Montserrat College of Art, he began exploring different Gloucester neighborhoods with drawing materials at hand. He wanted to work plein air, onsite, taking down information.

But it was a process: “They didn’t feel finished,” he says of his early drawings (which are really lovely). “I was overworking them. It took a long time and I felt I was missing something. I had to capture the light,” and he knew he had to be outside to do that.

So he picked up his oil paints, using a palatte of colors similar to noted local painter Emil Gruppe and started to work. He aimed for two hours — but found he was spending eight hours apiece on each work.

He entered the Cape Ann Quick Draw event. He not only won an Judge’s Merit award, but learned to keep to his projected two-hour time limit.

He’s painting on panels and had learned not to be concerned with a piece being finished. Doing such sketches forces him to “just go out and do it.” Great advice for all of us!

Jason will be focusing on plein air for his Residency in May. If you’re on Rocky Neck, stroll down to the end of Rocky Neck Ave. to see if his sign’s out and he’s working in the studio. Otherwise, keep your eyes open around Gloucester — you’re sure to see him working outside.

Jason’s closing talk is May 30, at 5PM at the Goetemann Studio, 77 Rocky Neck Ave., #10 (Madfish Wharf, facing the parking lot and the Marine Railways). Check out Jason’s website: JasonBurroughsGallery.com

Been a little quiet on the Goetemann Artist Residency (GAR) blog lately. But we’ve been busy.

In February we assessed more than 50 applications from around the world for this, the 15th annual GAR. And the competition was tough! We finally settled on four outstanding artists, plus one local artist. See the full list here.

Monday night, May 6, kicks off the 2019 Residency program with an opening talk by our Gloucester Invitational Artist, Jason Burroughs.

Don’t know Jason? You will! We think he’s a rising young star in the Cape Ann art scene. Check out his work on his website.  You’ll see Jason has a love of local architecture—and a delicious sense of humor.

Come meet Jason Monday evening, 7 to 8ish, and hear his opening presentation. It takes place at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street. And it’s free.