Painting

Curtis is a self described plein air oil painter,a term that refers to the practice of painting entire finished pictures outdoors.Originally from Morris County,NJ,Curtis relocated to rural Northwest NJ in 1981.His vast inventory of oil canvases exemplifies his love of rural landscapes.Engesser recalls his compelling need to draw where his preferred medium was graphite.With monochrome shade and line,pencil was best for capturing 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 the capturing of light in a moment of time.The 19 th century German/American painter AlBert Bierstadt,is specifically mentioned by him.Between Bierstadts ’ huge canvases of lavish,sweeping  landscapes,being less cumbersome,allow him the freedom to create a finished piece without planning or thought.His landscapes “ just happen”.His favored locations are the Delaware River Water Gap  National Recreation Area and Sandyston,NJ.