Curtis Engesser

Curtis Engesser

Curtis is a plein air oil painter, a term that refers to the practice of painting entirely outdoors, directly from nature. Originally from Morris County, NJ, Curtis relocated to rural Northwest NJ in 1981. His vast inventory of oil canvases exemplify his love of rural landscapes. Engesser bagan his career drawing with pencil, using monochrome line and shading to capture the structural nature of his favorite subject matter.

In his early 20’s he switched to oil painting on small canvases. The greatest influences on his work come from both American and French Impressionist painters. The plein air approach inspired him to step outside into the world of color and capture of light of a specific moment of time. The 19th century German/American painter Albert Bierstadt is an inspiration. His favored locations are the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Sandyston, NJ.