Perfect Painting Places: Connecticut
The Magic of Old Lyme
They say we all have a nostalgia gene that makes us yearn for more comfortable days. At least we think they were more comfortable. As an artist, painting on the grounds of the Florence Griswold Museum, home of the American Impressionist movement, triggers those longing responses making me almost feel like I was with those painters at the turn of the Century.
During that time, several artists, Childe Hassam for one, was working in a revolutionary style of painting that had many elements of plein air painting that we know today. He lived with a small colony of artists dedicated to the impressionist movement. They were invited to stay in the home of Miss Florence Griswold of Old Lyme. That home is now the famous Griswold Museum dedicated to Connecticut Impressionist Painting. The artists of that time had practiced their craft in France and soon discovered that the light of Old Lyme, cast on the rivers and landscapes of the area, is the same quality of light as found in Provence, France.
Although the Lieutenant River, which flows directly behind the Museum property is a favorite of artists, one should not forget Florence’s flower gardens. At the perfect time of early June, you can be fortunate to have your easel in front of the white peonies, as I did and painted.
Florence’s Peonies 11” x 14” oil on canvas.
The Barns of New England
Nostalgia just does not stop at Florence Griswold’s Museum grounds. Old barns of New England often light the fires of artists’ imagination of what it was like to be working in those environments. The aspect of healthy food and tremendous farm-ridden exercise often makes us think what it would be like to work that way. That lasts only for a couple minutes, however. It is nice to dream of oxen pulling field tilling equipment and raising cattle. But then we come to our senses and think we should go to more Country fairs and watch the oxen pulling events.
The real attractive nostalgia for us painters is the marvelous untouched landscapes. No mega mansions sitting in a field that once was the property of farmers raising their produce. It just feels good to be out there and paint a time that allows us some escape. Its immersing us in a moment of calmness and serenity.
There are periods of painting frustrations perhaps with certain colors, composition, and the like. But those are good problems to have when compared to today’s chaos. These are moments in artistic life worth remembering. Fenn’s Barns 18” x 24” oil on canvas.
The Housatonic
The Housatonic River in Cornwall, CT has always been close to my heart and soul. Perhaps it is because I have been fishing this section of the River, a recent painting pictured here, for over 55 years. Maybe it is the great wilderness landscape painter, Winslow Homer that has influenced this coming series of oil paintings on the Housatonic. This River has become my refuge and lends to my rebirth as a person. I normally fish and paint alone enjoying the solitude and reverence that overcomes one standing in the middle of rushing waters.
Painters are always searching for the next level of their craft. When they reach that level, they start searching for the next, all the while, planning the message they want to deliver to the viewer. Somewhere in the mix of all of this is capturing beauty.
Not only do you want to share it with the world, but you also want this natural beauty to enter your soul, your psyche, your heart and becomes a communication of love for this River. We all know that love is a strong medicine. Human beings are healers and art heals. I think it’s one reason why we do what we do as painters. The Housatonic 16” x 20” oil on canvas.
All the paintings above by artist, Sam D’Ambruoso
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