Louise Sackett

Günther Haidenthaller

This demo will approach plein air from two vastly different styles, accommodations and personal preferences. It will underscore that although approaches may differ, that sound art theory is key in both modes of execution. (yeah, it’ll slay you!)

Both Günther and Louise are disciplined in their pursuit of that elusive special painting and they will demonstrate that though they are serious, there is room for play and always room for enjoying the process. You will see two paintings start, develop, and be finalized, with the artists trading off part way through to work on the painting that their partner started. This can imitate the “what do I do now” syndrome so familiar to all painters.

This demo should give you the understanding that although there are ‘rules’ to be mindful of, they need not be so strict as to limit your creativity. So, if you want to see how two seasoned artists find their way out of a situation that might perplex, join us!

It’s bound to be entertaining as well as instructive.

Louise Sackett is a lifelong artist with multiple art degrees. She remembers her first art lesson in her grandmother’s kitchen, being told to paint the feeling. She studied at the Worcester Art Museum School, received her AA, BA and MSIT while living in San Diego.  

Her preferred medium is oil, followed by pastel, gouache, and anything that’ll make a mark. She has worked in silverpoint and one of her degrees was in intaglio, with printing emphasis. She was an art director for multiple companies, functioning as the visual supervisor for all visual training on the S3-B aircraft for the Navy at Coronado CA for over two decades.

Realizing that learning while an artist is a never-ending pursuit, she attends multiple workshops every year, attempting to hone her skills, with such artists as Christine Lashley, Matt Ryder, Phil Stark, Lori Putnam, Mark Boedges, Kim English, Ray Roberts, Kathleen Dunphy and many more.

She has won the PAPNM plein Air competition at Three Rivers in NM, the Ralph Love plein air competition in Temecula CA, and the purchase prize in the Silver City plein air competition as well as the people’s choice award. Louise teaches plein air in Silver City, NM each fall.

You can see more of her work here.

Günther Haidenthaller emigrated with his family from Austria as a child, and grew up drawing and painting. His interest in art blossomed in junior high and high school, and he majored in illustration and advertising design at Utah State University. He spent 27 years as a designer and art director, with occasional illustration projects to keep things interesting.

Günther left full time employment in 2015 to pursue his passion for painting. He says, “Being Austrian, I am haunted by the ethereal, dreamlike quality of light in the moisture-laden European atmosphere. I strive to express that longing in every image I create, and hope that the viewer will feel my vision. Art is all about passion, and this is mine.”

Günther works primarily in oils, watercolor, pencil, pen and ink, and yes–crayons! He has studied with a number of prominent, well-known artists including Randall Sexton, Joshua Clare, Carl Purcell, Kathryn Stats, Stephen Stauffer, Colley Whisson, Lyn Boyer, Dave Santillanes, and Doug Braithwaite. He also counts Frank Frazetta, Bernie Fuchs, Bart Forbes, and John Harris as artistic heroes.

Günther is a member of Oil Painters of America (OPA) and the American Impressionist Society (AIS), as well as several local Utah artists’ organizations. He makes his home in Alpine, Utah.

You can see more of his work here.