Moments in Oil: Ben Fenske's Impressions of Summer Make an Appearance at Grenning Gallery

Grenning Gallery will open its 18th annual solo exhibition featuring new work by painter Ben Fenske on Thursday, August 28. The opening reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 26 Main Street in Sag Harbor. The exhibition will remain on view through Sunday, September 14.

Fenske, born in 1978 in Minnesota, is known for his plein-air landscapes and interiors. His current work focuses on brushstroke uniformity and light representation, avoiding photorealism in favor of a color-based impressionist technique. He typically builds compositions by applying small, consistent marks, layering from shadow to highlight.

Two paintings of Gin Point in Montauk — “Montauk Morning Light” and “Gin Point, Montauk Panorama: — demonstrate Fenske’s use of color and value to convey different atmospheric conditions. The former presents subdued lighting, while the latter captures a brighter, midday scene.

Fenske studied the Russian method of painting and has drawn influence from Russian Impressionists, particularly in his figurative compositions such as “Bathers (Inspired by Plastov),” which depicts individuals in relaxed outdoor settings.

Much of the work in this exhibition was created at Fenske’s studio in Tuscany, including still-life paintings that depict domestic interiors with floral arrangements and natural light. The artist also returns to Long Island each year to paint East End landscapes, featured in pieces such as “Dering Harbor Sunset,” “Dering Harbor Sailboats” and “Dering Harbor Sketch.”

The exhibition, titled “Ben Fenske: Solo Exhibition,” will be held at Grenning Gallery, located at 26 Main Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, call 631-725-8469 or visit grenninggallery.com.