Artist and gallerist Abigail McBride will be judging September’s entries in the PleinAir Salon monthly art competition. Abigail directs McBride Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland.
Because Annapolis is on the small side as far as towns go, a gallery showing high-level art must be approachable. Both the art McBride exhibits and the environment inside the gallery fit that bill.
The gallery seeks to foster a warm and inviting atmosphere for the exploration of a variety of mediums, from paintings to sculptures. “Each with its unique story to share,” says their website. “Big-city art meets small-town charm in our seven gallery rooms.”
Judging by what goes up on the walls, expression, feeling and emotion take forward roles in inviting viewers into these works of art. One of the gallery’s emotive landscape painters is Michael Godfrey, whose oil painting titled “Dunes at Nags Head” appears above. Godfrey aims to for more than observation and skillful technique. He actively investigates and seeks out what he feels is the emotional truth of his subjects. “I ask myself, ‘what is the dominant truth – is it color, shape of landforms, or time of day’,” he says. “I try to understand what I am seeing, so that the final work will capture the visual emotion.”
Other artists at McBride working in a variety of mediums concentrate on still life, the figure, nature, and in the case of sculptor Cristian Iansculescu, abstraction, or very close to it.
Cristian Iansculescu, “Hyperbolic Owl,” alabaster and black walnut.
Oil painter Paula Waterman focuses on nature. Her approach ranges from portraits of animals to wildlife painted in natural settings.
Paula Waterman, “Evening Courtship,” Oil, 24 x 48 in.
Paula has a particular interest in wading birds, dogs, horses and the large African game animals. A common thread in all her work is the critical importance of the light source and light color; she says that light is the actual subject in all her work. Her painting “Evening Courtship” combines an unusual composition with striking realism and beautiful color harmonies.
Owner Abigail McBride paints with a sense of the poetic that blends traditional subject matter with modern design sensibilities.
She describes herself as part of a new breed of perceptual painters working from direct observation be it plein air or in the studio. Though often free of narrative, her work is grounded in the present day as a contemporary interpretation of genre painting.
Abigail McBride, “Time & Tempo,” Oil, 24 x 30 in.
She has developed a reputation as a dynamic teacher and mentor, and she regularly hosts online classes with the option of joining tightly limited critique groups. She also teaches at Anne Arundel Community College and selected traveling workshops. In all her teaching positions, she aims to advance principles of visual understanding acquired from years of study.
All of the artists in the McBride stable in some way combine visual beauty with expression and imagination.
Jorge Alberto, “Naranjes,” Oil, 14.5 x 17 in.
Ken Karlic, “Regatta,” Oil, 10 x 30 in.
Bridging to the Salon
And speaking of the PleinAir Salon, artist J.M. Brodrick (not a member of the McBride gallery, btw) snagged Overall First Place in the July 2025 PleinAir Salon, judged by master artist Thomas W. Schaller.
“A lyrical intersection of prose and poetry elevates this work,” Thomas said. “The solidity of an everyday urban scene is secondary to the overwhelmingly beautiful and ephemeral atmospherics. Brilliant editing, outstanding brushwork, intriguing composition, and a deeply affecting understanding of light, color, and the illusion of space and perspective make this painting simply brilliant.”
J.M. Brodrick, “Southside,” acrylic, 30 x 24 in. The artist says, “I am a painter working towards merging my need for realism with the beauty of pure abstraction.”
J.M. Brodrick’s paintings span a wide range of themes, from the beauty of old growth forests to city scenes, birds, animals, and people. Her works have been described as serene and peaceful. They can include both drama and poetic tenderness along with a unique softness and graceful sense of beauty.
Her use of colors laid over each other result in hues that seem to glow from within, playing one color off the other in harmony much as a composer would use combinations of notes to form a symphony. Brodrick studied painting in her youth and received her first scholarship at the age of 13.
Her grandmother, who was a professional artist from Helsinki Finland, guided her love of the arts. She grew up in a working artist environment. “My grandmother helped me connect with other artists and shaped me at an early age to express myself with painting” says Brodrick. In 1977 she moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where the rugged lifestyle and freedom of the open country inspired her to further develop her artistic talents. Brodrick now lives in Oregon and is surrounded by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Connect with the artist at www.jmbrodrick.com.
About the PleinAir Salon:
In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual online art competition, with 11 monthly cycles, leading to the annual Salon Grand Prize winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition. The PleinAir® Salon rewards artists with $50,000 in cash prizes and exposure of their work, with the winning painting featured on the cover of PleinAir® Magazine.
Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir Magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, websites, and social media. Winners of each competition will also be entered into the annual competition. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the next Plein Air Convention & Expo.
The next round of the PleinAir Salon has begun so hurry, as this competition ends on the last day of the month. Enter your best art in the PleinAir Salon here.
