Mark Vander Vinne

"As both a studio and en plein air (outdoor) painter, nature is my muse. The wide variety of scenes are a never-ending source of inspiration, from the beaches and trails of the Indiana Dunes National Park to the farmlands, forests and marshes of the local area. I am especially captivated by the different seasons, light conditions and times of day. Through my contemporary tonalist oil paintings, I want to capture that sense of comfort and familiarity of place to those who live here.

What I want the viewer of my art to see is the beauty found in the everyday places and moments. I cherish the subtle moods created in nature, such as the quiet contemplation of the night, or the familiarity of a large family of trees at the end of a road, or the warmth found from the dappled light on a newly planted field. It’s these ordinary scenes that speak to me, and I want the viewer to appreciate them and maybe see them differently when they are driving by looking out their car window."