Louisa McElwain (1953-2013)
Riverbend, Autumn Afternoon, c. 2007
oil on canvas
30 x 30 inches
39.5 x 39.5 inches (frame)
signed lower right: McElwain
verso: titled and signed

Louisa McElwain was a plein-air Impressionist painter whose favorite subjects were her native New Mexico sky and landscape. Dramatic use of textured impasto is a signature feature of her work.

In her own words, McElwain stated: “During the process of painting large canvases outdoors, the interaction with Nature introduces insects, particles of plants and soil into the paint. To acknowledge the simultaneous levels of reality that surround me, I sometimes deliberately introduce elements into the paint like bits of broken bottle, bone, fur, or charred wood. Anything stuck to the motif, the images, the illusions, the beauty of landscape, I never want to forget that what I am looking at is paint on canvas.”

The painting appears to be in good condition. Under UV examination, there is no evidence of restoration or inpainting.