East End interior designer and artist Robert Lohman will host an Opening Reception on Friday, March 6th 6:30 – 9:00 pm to showcase “A Selection of Skyscape Paintings,” a new exhibition of works at the Peter Marcelle Project, on 4 North Main Street, Southampton.

Robert shares, “I like what a painting with a big sky does to almost any room.  It’s like carving a window in a wall. I’ve also always loved the great skies from the naturalist American painters of the 1800s and early 1900s.  I used to go to the Met to see the landscapes of Thomas Cole, Fredric Church, and Beirstadt glowing on the museum walls. I wanted to take those big skies home with me.”

“As I painted more landscapes over the years, I chose to strip out most of the land or water of a composition. I became more interested in painting the sky as a study in color and light. Rothko has always been an influence. His depth of tone is always on my mind. Unlike traditional plein air paintings. mine are not of any specific time or location, but an amalgam of a multiple local beach visits over many years. Most of my work is titled simply with a month and year.”

“For years, I’ve only given my paintings as gifts, unsure how the public would value them. Last year I sent paintings to the Guild Hall Clothes Line Sale. Both of my large pieces, priced in the higher brackets, quickly sold. For this show, proceeds from sales will benefit our not-for-profit theatre production company Hard Sparks / SaprkHampton.”

DETAILS:  A Selection of Skyscape Paintings

SATURDAY, MARCH 7th; TIME: 10:00AM to 6:00PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 8TH;  TIME 11:00AM – 4:00PM

* For more information, visit Robert’s blog at www.RMLhamptons.com