Jim Laurino to Teach Plein Air Painting August 13th

Jim Laurino, guest teacher, pictured with a young student,
 Annie, and her first plein air painting. 

Workshop Cancelled Due to Heat

UPDATE:  Due to the excessive heat warning, the one-on-one teaching portion of the POP paintout tomorrow with Jim Laurino has been cancelled. Painters can still come out and paint in the morning if it is cool enough, and if it is not raining/thundering/lightning!




On August 13th, Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) welcomes landscape painter Jim Laurino, of Burlington, Connecticut for an outdoor painting/sketching event to be held at Three Rivers Park in Woodbury CT from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.    This year, seasoned POP volunteer artists will work one-on-one with beginning artists at each event. Anyone interested in trying “plein air” painting in oil with Jim, the featured volunteer teacher for the event, at no charge, may register by phoning Ellie Boyd (203) 429-4356 or email, pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com.  The event is also open to experienced painters who just want to spend the day sketching and painting on their own. Three Rivers Park is located at the junction of Route 47 and Jacks Bridge Road, where the Weekeepeemee River and the Nonnewaug River join to form the Pomperaug River. The site features large open fields and a picturesque walk along the river, with plenty of shade and parking.

A Connecticut native, Laurino draws inspiration from nature, the changing seasons, farmland vistas, and the geography of his home state.  Like most landscape painters, he prefers working en plein air, on site, whenever possible.   Laurino creates in a style heavily influenced by American and French Impressionist painters.

As a high school student Laurino studied with Richard Montross, and received instruction from notable marine painters Carl G. Evers, and Christopher Blossom. Jim studied fine art at the college level at the University of Connecticut.  He has received numerous awards for his paintings, including a recent 1st place award from Lyme Art Association (Maritime Exhibit), and a 2nd place finish in the 2015 Finger Lakes Plein air competition (NY State). http://jimlaurino.com/

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and preservation of natural landscapes.  More information about the organization and paintout schedules may be obtained at the group's website: http://pomperaugoutdoorpainters.blogspot.com/

July 9th at Great Hollow Preserve -- Chabrian and Martinez

Volunteer POP instructors Deborah Chabrian and Edward Martinez capture a scene “en plein air” in the hills of Connecticut.  Painters are invited to paint at Great Hollow Preserve in New Fairfield, CT on Saturday, July 9^th.

Chabrian-Martinez Plein Air Dynamic Duo to Teach July 9th

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) will host a free outdoor painting/sketching event in New Fairfield, CT at Great Hollow Preserve, 225 Route 37 on Saturday, July 9th, from  8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Join POP for prime painting locations in Western Connecticut in State parks, and on private lands.    This year, seasoned POP volunteer artists will work one-on-one with registered beginning artists at each event.  The featured artists at this event are Deborah Chabrian (watercolor) and Ed Martinez (oil) of Kent, CT.  Anyone interested in trying “plein air” painting in watercolor or oil, at no charge, will need to sign up in advance by phone (203) 429-4356 or email, pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com.  The event is open also to experienced painters who just want to spend the day sketching and painting.  

Martinez and Chabrian met in the Parsons School of Design in New York. The couple shares a love of art where life and work are intertwined.  Mutual love and support have taken the artists down many paths -- one of them in plein air painting.   In this session in New Fairfield, they are going to share their passion for going out into nature and painting together.

Both painters are representational artists from Kent, CT.  While Deborah works in watercolor Ed prefers oils.  The artists migrated from commercial art mid-career to fine art, to adapt to changes brought about by a now computer-dominated world.  Their challenge is continuous improvement every day of painting.  It is a constant battle, strengthening the work in the long run.  They don't create their art in a vacuum, but live in the same house, work in adjacent spaces, and rely heavily on each other's critical eye and opinion.  An unusual arrangement between husband and wife.  But it works.  Their paintings defy the ordinary, and bring the viewers into a scene immediately. http://www.edmartinezart.com/

The Great Hollow Preserve, http://greathollowct.org/ is a new private preserve, a few miles North of New Fairfield, CT, featuring many views and painting opportunities for artists like open fields, mature floodplain forest, a beaver pond, in a natural state.  Hiking and picnicking is allowed in the park.  Visitors are also welcome to view artwork in progress.  Heavy rain cancels.  Directions from New Fairfield:  I-84 to Danbury CT, Exit 5, 9.8 miles.  The entrance to Great Hollow Preserve will be to the left.

For more information on the group or to register to paint with the featured artists, please call or email:  Ellie Boyd, 203-429-4356, pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com

Deborah Chabrian's and Ed Martinez' Bios:

Try It! You'll Like It!

Tony D'Amico paints a beautiful scene in Roxbury CT.

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) will host a free outdoor painting/sketching event in Litchfield at Topsmeade State Forest on Saturday, June 25^th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  This will be the group’s fourth season of scouting out prime painting locations in Western Connecticut in State parks, and on private land.    This year, seasoned POP volunteer artists will work one-on-one with beginning artists at each event.  The featured artist at this event is Tony D’Amico (oil painter) of Fairfield.  http://tonydamicofineart.com/   Anyone interested in trying “plein air” painting, at no charge, will need to sign up in advance by phone (203) 429-4356 or email, pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com.  

The Topsmeade State Forest offers many views and painting opportunities for artists featuring open fields, mature floodplain forest, and an authentic English Cotswolds type architectural masterpiece.  Hiking and picnicking is allowed in the park, and the restored main house is open for tours that day.  Visitors are also welcome to view artwork in progress.  Heavy rain cancels.  Directions from Litchfield Center: take Route 118 east for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto East Litchfield Road. Take the first right onto Buell Road. Topsmeade entrance is the first road on the right.

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and preservation of natural landscapes.  Tony D’Amico joined the group two years ago.  Trained as a commercial artist/illustrator, Tony enjoys capturing scenes of everyday life that are “often overlooked” with his idealized interpretation of the subject.  He has studied with many well known outdoor painters like Don Demers, Matt Smith and Kenn Backhaus, and has garnered many national awards for his work in New England and a number of plein air competitions across the U. S.  He is eager to share his knowledge of identifying an outdoor subject and how to go about getting that three-dimensional subject onto a two-dimensional canvas.

In addition to the Topsmeade paintout, the following additional events are planned for the remainder of the summer/fall season (check POP calendar for updates):

Great Hollow Preserve

New Fairfield, CT

July 9, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured volunteer teacher:  Ed Martinez (Oil) and Deborah Chabrian (Watercolor)

Three Rivers Park

Woodbury, CT

August 13, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured volunteer teacher:  Jim Laurino

Bent of the River Audubon Center

Southbury, CT

September 10, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured volunteer teacher:  Zufar Bikbov (Oil)

Middlebury Land Trust Brookdale Farm Open Day and Fenn's Pond

Middlebury, CT

October 1, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured volunteer teacher:  TBA

For the most up to date info on scheduled paintouts, check the group’s website:

http://pomperaugoutdoorpainters.blogspot.com/2016/05/pop-2016-schedule-of-paintouts.html

For more information on the group or to register to paint in oils with Tony D’Amico, please call or email:  Ellie Boyd, (203) 429-4356,  pomperaugoutdoorpainters@gmail.com

POP 2016 Schedule of Paintouts

Please take out your calendar and make plans to paint, make new friends, have fun at POP's schedule of paintouts for the season from May to October.  Be sure to check Google Calendar before you head out, for the latest details. (See Calendar Tab.)  Eblasts and updates will also be posted on Facebook and here as well.
NEW:  sign up to be a featured volunteer teacher/painter, to share your talent and experience with a beginner one-on-one for the morning or afternoon (you supply easel and materials).  Your name will be featured in pre-publicity.  Newbie painters will need to preregister for the session.  Zufar Bikbov is our first volunteer teacher!

Private Estate, Roxbury CT (Pre-registration)

May 14, 2016 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, (Rain Date May 15th)

Topsmeade State Forest

Litchfield, CT

June 25, 2016 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Great Hollow Preserve

New Fairfield, CT

July 9, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Three Rivers Park

Woodbury, CT

scheduled for August 13, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Bent of the River Audubon Center

Southbury, CT

September 17, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured volunteer:  Zufar Bikbov

Middlebury Land Trust's Brookdale Farm Open Day and Fenn's Pond

Middlebury, CT

October 1, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

#pleinairpainting #landscapepainting #artists #pomperaugoutdoorpainters

Flag Barn--Bridgewater CT--Monday, July 6th, 2015

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters Event at Greyledge Farm --July 6th, 2015 8am-2pm

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters will host an open plein air painting session at the Greyledge Farm, at 114 Town Line Road in Bridgewater, CT, Monday, July 6th, 2015, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The farm offers sweeping views, an old farmhouse and barn featuring an American flag painting, and neighboring barns/structures. The event is free and open to artists of all skill levels to come and sketch or paint for the day—no instruction will be provided.  Parking adjacent to old home or next to "flag barn"--artists may also park/paint along Town Line Road.  Artists should bring an easel and art supplies, and a sack lunch.  Group will break for lunch around noon.  No facilities available.   

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and support the preservation of natural and historical spaces.  

For more information on this event or future events, please call:

Ellie Boyd, 203-264-2313

Equine Heaven--Sunnyfield Farms Paintout Saturday May 2, 2015

Sunnyfield Farm in Bedford, New York.  Photo:  Heather Ward

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters Event at Sunnyfield Farm May 2nd, 2015

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) will host a free painting/sketching event in Bedford, NY at Sunnyfield Farm, May 2nd, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Sunnyfield Farm, located off NY Route 172, offers many views and painting opportunities of rolling paddocks and thoroughbred horses in sweeping landscapes. The event is free and open to artists of all skill levels to come and sketch or paint for the day—no instruction will be provided. Pre-registration is required with a limit of 10 participants.  Parking info and directions will be provided to registrants.  Artists should bring an easel and art supplies, and a sack lunch.  Group will break for lunch around noon.  Facilities available.  Rain will cancel event.  Alternate rain date:  Sunday, May 24th.

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and to help in the preservation of natural and historical spaces.  

http://pomperaugoutdoorpainters.blogspot.com/

POP Painters Invited to Paint at Flanders May 9th--Woodbury CT

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) will host a free painting/sketching event in Woodbury on Saturday, May 9th, in cooperation with Flanders Nature Center.  Flanders, originally the studio and farm of Natalie Van Vleck, offers many views and painting opportunities for artists.  Free and open to artists of all skill levels to come and sketch or paint for the day—no instruction provided.  Rain cancels event. 

Directions to event: from I-84, Exit 15, travel North on Route 6, pass through Woodbury, then turn left on Flanders Road.  Center will be at the intersection of Flanders Road and 5 Church Hill Road. 

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and to help in the preservation of natural and historical spaces in Southbury and the surrounding area.  

For more information on this event or future events, please call or email:

POP Paints by Lake Zoar in Southbury July 26th

Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) will host a free painting/sketching event in Southbury on Lake Zoar on Saturday, July 26^th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, in cooperation with the Southbury Historical Society.  Free and open to artists of all skill levels to come and sketch or paint for the day—no instruction provided. PARKING: IN FIELD adjacent to cul de sac.  PLEASE do not park in cul de sac.  Rain cancels.

Lake Zoar offers many water views and painting opportunities for artists. Directions: travel North on Route 172, turn left on West Flat Hill Road at South Britain Country Store, turn right on Purchase Brook Road and then left on West Purchase Road.  Finally, turn left on West Gilbert Road and follow to end.  Location is on Right..  Participants should bring an easel and art supplies, water, bug spray.  Group will break for lunch around noon.  

POP is a “plein air” (outdoor) painting group formed to promote landscape painting in all media, camaraderie amongst local artists, and to help in the preservation of natural and historical spaces in Southbury and the surrounding area.  

For more information on this event or future events, please call or email:

Ellie Boyd, 203-264-2313, ellie@ellieboydstudio.com

POP Paint Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield CT Saturday July 12

Entrance to Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield on Buell Road

Saturday, July 12th, POP will venture to Litchfield and take in the grand vision of Miss Edith Morton Chase.

Please attempt to carpool if you can.  Parking may be limited.  Be prepared to WALK to your painting spot, which may be a ways away from the parking lot.  There is plenty of shade, and a zillion views to satisfy every painter:  meadows, mature trees, a genuine English "cottage" in the Cotswold style, beautifully maintained flower plantings/planters.  If you tire of painting, you are welcome to picnic and/or hike around the property.  Families welcome.  Restrooms available.  There is no fee.  Grounds open 8 a.m to sunset.  House will be open to the public for tours 12-4.  Group will break for lunch (bring your own) around noon.  You may want to bring a blanket or stool to sit on.  Definitely bring water, sunscreen and bug spray.  Ellie Boyd

Western facade of "Topsmead", summer home of Edith Morton Chase.

Link to Photo Album

Directions:

From Route 8: take Exit 42. Go west on Route 118 for 2.0 miles. Turn left onto Clark Road to the stop sign. Take a right at the stop sign then the first left onto Buell Road. The first right off Buell is the entrance to Topsmead.

From Litchfield Center: take Route 118 east for 1.5 miles. Take a right onto East Litchfield Road. Take the first right onto Buell Road. Topsmead will be the first road on the right.

Property History, from the DEEP Website:

"Topsmead State Forest is the former summer estate of Miss Chase, daughter of Henry Sabin Chase and Alice Morton Chase. Henry Sabin Chase was the first President of Chase Brass and Copper Company in Waterbury. Chase Brass was one of the leaders in the brass industry when Waterbury was the Brass Capital of the world.

In 1917, Miss Chase received from her father approximately 16 acres on Jefferson Hill in Litchfield. Here she built a rustic cabin, which was replaced with a more substantial summer home in 1923. She hired noted architect Richard Henry Dana, Jr. to help her design and build the English Tudor style house which was completed in 1925. The exterior woodwork is of cypress, the downspouts are lead, the walls of brick and stucco, and the roof is slate. The interior woodwork is oak, as is most of the flooring. The foyer, hallway and dining room floors are of polished terra cotta tile. Most of the interior walls are of the same type of stucco as is found on the exterior. Fine craftsmanship, an eye for detail and understated wealth are evident throughout the house, which is tastefully and simply furnished with 17th and 18th century English country antiques.

Miss Chase loved the outdoors and as much care was given to the landscaping as was given to the design and furnishings of her home. Surrounding her home are plantings of holly, lilac, and juniper. Apple trees line the drive and formal gardens on each end of the house compliment the English Tudor architecture.

Edith Chase shared her summer home with her life-long companions, Mary and Lucy Burrall. The ladies spent the winter months at the Burrall sisters' home on Church Street in Waterbury. Because it was their dream to create a pocket of serenity, the ladies' lifestyle at "Topsmead" was relaxed. Guests were entertained informally.

Miss Chase was a clever businesswoman. She built up her financial inheritance and subsequently her real estate holdings. One of her most significant acquisitions was the 1927 purchase of the Buell Farm which was renamed Topsmead Farm to reflect its location at the "top of the meadow". The farm produced food used on the estate. In addition to vegetable and flower gardens there were beef cattle, poultry, sheep, pigs, and at one time, draft horses.

Upon her death in 1972, Edith Chase left her beloved country estate to the people of Connecticut and to be known as Topsmead State Forest. In her will, Miss Chase requested that Topsmead State Forest "be kept in a state of natural beauty". To ensure that Topsmead would remain undisturbed, Miss Chase left an endowment to be used toward maintaining and operating the buildings and grounds as they were upon her death.

Nestled in the Litchfield Hills, Topsmead State Forest remains a precious piece of an era past." The DEEP has exceeded expectations in maintaining this property and enhancing passive recreation uses.

Saturday, May 24th, 2014 Southbury Historical Society Paintout

RAIN DELAY--Saturday,
May 24th, 2014

Southbury Historical Society 

Paintout in South Britain

RAIN EXPECTED TO CLEAR BY 10 for a few painting hours. This season Pomperaug Outdoor Painters will paint at locations with ties to history.  For our next paintout, we'll explore the historical properties of South Britain, located about 2 miles north of I-84, off Exit 14, on Route 172.  Please join us, especially if you like history! Saturday, 5/24,  9-4, Park on the street in front of the Old Town Hall, on adjacent streets, or at the United Church of Christ South Britain up the street, on the right.  (Large paved parking lot.) Rain cancels.  Tarps appreciated.  Scenes of historical buildings, including residences, old library, old New England church, the Pomperaug River, an old factory.  Facilities available until 2 p.m.  Parking lot must be cleared by 4:30. Painters will have access to the Old Town Hall Museum from 12:00-1:00 for lunch break and to tour the collection on their own.  Open to all painters.  Painters supply own materials and equipment.  No instruction.  Children over 12 welcome with parent. POP and the Southbury Historical Society(SHS) will team up to offer painters additional painting spots as the season progresses. If you'd like to plan ahead, check the calendar.   Please forward this to all your painting buddies.

POP Benefit Show and Sale at the Southbury Public Library September 2013

It's official--come and see the show at the Southbury Public Library and join us for an open meeting on Sunday, 9/15 from 2-4 p.m. to learn about plein air painting by the artists.

Kettletown Woods Paintout August 3rd

Join POP painters at Kettletown Woods, home of the Lyons family, 1133 Kettletown Road, Southbury CT 06488. A beautiful small farm location with a number of interesting outbuildings, cows, pond, rocks, chickens and across the street a vista with a silo, and a renovated cottage and barn. Parking is at the Lyons off to side of semicircle gravel drive. Bathroom available. Bring lunch, meet the Lyons, and with members of the Southbury Land Trust board at 1:00pm, then continue painting. This is our last paintout for new participants to be eligible to enter September show to benefit the land trust. Come and bring a friend!

Cricket Hill Gardens, Thomaston, CT--Peony Heaven

Thursday, May 16th, 11:30am to 4:00pm

670 Walnut Hill Road, Thomaston, CT 06787

Walk along mulched paths through a sea of herbaceous and Chinese tree peonies and sniff to your heart's content.  The gardens, owned by Kasha and David Furhman, in Thomaston CT, are a gardener's or painter's delight.  PARKING IS LIMITED.  Please carpool.  POP is invited to paint there 11:30 to 4:00 during working hours of the garden shop.  

Spirit of Gladys Taber--Southbury Land Trust and POP Join Forces Sunday, April 7th

POP artists and the Southbury Land Trust folks will meet Sunday, April 7 at the Stillmeadow Farm, Gladys Taber's writing haven, on Sanford Road for simultaneous events--a POP paintout, a SLT hike and bench dedication.   POP members will continue to help SLT with their overall mission to conserve of the natural beauty of Southbury while enjoying being out in the open spaces, and new this year, POP will help raise funds and awareness for the rebuilding of SLT's Phillips Barn.  See the attached flyer for details on the event.

Sunday, April 7th 1:30 P.M.
Parking:  at Phillips Farm
Paint at Phillips or Stillmeadow Farm (where writer Gladys Taber lived and wrote) or Hike Stillmeadow Farm and stay for dedication of the Nelson and Polly Camp bench.  There is no charge for this event.

The POP event schedule for the rest of the season is being firmed up and will be posted shortly along with plans for the September show at the Southbury Library.

It's Pretty Nice Out for January

Karen Cashman, fellow Pomperaug Painter and I headed over to the West side of town to get some sunshine, fresh air, and do a quick study. Limited palette: ultramarine blue, burnt Siena, yellow ochre, titanium white. The Canada geese hunkered down in just a little open water. Feels good to be outside--35 degrees & sunny.  Supposed to be warmer Wednesday.  If you venture out, send me a photo of your painting so I can post it here and share.  

POP Painters Support Safe Haven Show

POP painters Alain Picard and Karen Cashman will take part in the Safe Haven Gala and Art Show on Nov 10th 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm and Nov 11th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. If you need further information, please contact Susan McNeil @ 203-217-5445.