“Jimmy Rouse’s painting opens our eyes to the gifts of nature and the world (trees and hillscapes and skies and his probing city...) and to the mystery of other souls -- it has the power to awaken and deepen our very ‘seeing’ of what there is.”

- Mitchell Miller, Scholar of Greek Philosophy, Vassar College

BALTIMORE, MD - C. Grimaldis Gallery is pleased to present En Plein Air, a solo exhibition of landscape paintings and prints by Baltimore artist James Rouse. Bringing together several decades of work celebrating the wonder of nature, this collection breathes fresh air within gallery walls. Blue skies and lush greenery weave a sense of possibility as each brush stroke builds into scenes both whimsical and familiar, allowing viewers to seemingly escape into the renewing sense of magnetism Rouse’s paintings hold. As En Plein Air brings us through the final weeks of winter into the earliest days of spring, Rouse’s philosophical eye and symphonic approach to painting provides us the opportunity to relish in the beauty and hope that can be found within community and the changing seasons.

James Rouse is a life-long Baltimorean who has been a committed and continuous contributor to the local arts community. After obtaining his B.A. in Politial Science from Yale University, Rouse began to pursue his true love: art. For several years he worked at Martick’s Restaurant Francais -- an iconic establishment reflective of Baltimore’s historically creative and eclectic social scene. Then, from 1981to 1998, Rouse owned and operated Louie’s Bookstore Cafe. During its time, Louie’s was a central N. Charles Street staple with multifaceted appeal -- part bookstore, art gallery, music venue, full service restaurant and bar -- it offered both a gathering place to creatives as well as space brimming with artwork and vibrant energy, curated by Rouse. In addition to his current work as co-founder of the Charles Street Development Corporation as well as non-profit Transit Choices, Rouse focuses on his artist practice each day, creating works across mediums that remind us of the magic of life and the world around us.