​Painted en plein air on Friday Sept 10 and finished on Saturday September 11, 2021 - The Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society (CPAPS) join together with the International Plein Air Painters for a Worldwide Paint Out Weekend.

​Both days the weather was beautiful, a constant light breeze made the afternoon sun barely noticeable as the temperatures rose to about 82 degrees. On Friday, We had a larger group of about 12-15 artists from all over the state join us. On Saturday the group was smaller only 5 of us.

​I was inspired to paint this scene of the walkway at Meig's Point because of how the trees and surrounding foliage moved softly in the wind. A gentle swaying back and forth like a mother cradling her newborn in her arms, as she gently and rythmically shifts her weight from one foot to the other.

​ It was busy both days at the park, lots of folks walking the trails, climbing the rocks, taking photos, walking their dogs, relaxing in beach chairs and a few children knee-deep splashing in the water.

​Working on a gesso primed linen, my goal was to keep some of the surface peaking through especially along the path and sandy surfaces. 

​With fresh eyes on this piece this morning the idea of turning this piece into a diptych  or triptych is floating around in my mind. How cool it would be to extend the scene to left to include more of the water and rocks. Stay tune - this could be the beginnings of a larger set! 

Shown here in a natural wood frame but other framing options are available. Shop online here or contact me directly if you're interested in this piece. Linda@lindasmarinoart.com

Current Show: Beaches, Boats and Sunsets Art show at Chapter One Restaurant in Guilford, CT - 25 Whitfield Street across from the Guilford Green. Stop in, enjoy a meal and view the artwork. 

Save the Date: Shoreline Arts Trail - Open Studio is Happening - In- person! Saturday and Sunday November 13 and 14, 2021 - with over 30 local artists and artisans from Branford, Guilford and Madison opening their studios for showing and selling their artwork. I'll be at the Guilford Art Center this year - maps will be available soon - If you would me to mail you a map please send an email including your mailing address to: Linda@lindasmarinoart.com

A wonderful day at Weir Farm in Wilton CT with the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society. It was early autumn when just a few trees have started to turn. There were about 8 or 9 of us painting throughout the day. We were spread out on the 280 acre property. I would making my rounds to see how all the painters were doing. I enjoyed meeting several new artists.

 I was able to complete a quick block in for this painting and finished it up in my studio. I love this spot behind the main house where the Ranger's office is. There's a stone potting shed, sunken garden and a few smaller buildings in the back. I set up my easel in the shade of a large oak tree and right next to a stone wall. 
Painting at Weir Farm is so inspiring especially when one learns about the history of famous American painters who painted right there on the farm. Julian Alden Weir was the owner of the property and he would invite his friends to join him for an artist's retreat. I absolute love this idea because it's a secret dream I hope that one day Dean and I could own a small farm and hold Plein air painting artist retreats. 
Here's the link to read more about Weir Farm and the History. - 

what also makes visiting Weir Farm special this year is that the Farm has been selected as a National Park for the Arts and a US coin has been minted with a picture of Weir farm on the back! Thanks to the Friends of Weir Farms for selecting one of paintings to be on the cover of their mailers!

We will definitely be back to paint at Weir farm especially in the Winter and Spring seasons, I  can only imagine how beautiful and so different the place will look.

I'll be putting together a short video of our paint outs at Weir farm for CPAPS website. I'm just gathering the image and I have a few short interviews to include - I'll post it on our social media page for public viewing.

Thanks for being apart of my art journey - I hope it's inspired you to get creative and try something new!

Warmest regards,
Linda


P. S. Don't forget... Open Studio Visits are going on for the month of November and December 2020 - register for a visit - come and see the new artwork I've been creating all year and purchase a painting for yourself or as a gift. Art makes the best gift!

Our second painting out with the Connecticut Plein air painters society was at the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT.

We met up on Saturday September 26- it started off rainy and drizzly on my way up to the museum but by the time we unpacked our gear and found a place to paint the sun came out and it was just a perfect day to paint - together.  

I've just stepped into the role of President for CPAPS and there's a lot to learn and organize. I'm hoping we'll have a board soon so that jobs can be delegated and the work load is a little lighter. But I enjoy gather with my fellow artists, finding new places in Connecticut to paint and seeking new ways to showcase our artwork.

This is our 25th year but we plan to celebrate next year because of all the restriction due to Covid.  I'm looking forward to meeting new painters and checking out all the beautiful spots in our small but picturesque state!

It was great to be back at the New Britain Museum of American Art. 12 years ago I in the educational department with a great group of ladies. Maura, Morgan, Linda M and Heather. We had such fun and worked hard to promote the education programs and events at the Museum.

​ If you live in Connecticut and have never visited NBMAA I would recommend that you do -It's a hidden gem of our wonderful state and offers an amazing collection of American Masterpieces. A few of my favorite collections are the Illustration Collection, The Ash Can Artists Collection and of course, the American Impressionists collection. 

On Saturday October 31st a small group of us from the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society meet up at Silverman's Farm in Easton, CT. 

It was a cold morning, just the day before it snowed and up in the northern part of Connecticut they had about 3 inches. It was just a dusting for us along the coast but it did usher in the colder winter weather. 

I have to confess, I had never been to Silverman's Farms but Mom took my kids there a few times to pick pumpkins and see the farm animals. It's quit the operation along Sport Hill Road in Easton. It's a fun attraction for the whole family with lots of farm animals, if I had to guess there were about 100 animals. Lots of goats, sheep, reindeer, buffalo, donkeys, llamas, chickens, roosters, bunnies and so many more! 

There are pick your own apples, pears and peaches, a farmers market, food trucks, activities for the kids, a general store and much more. 

Our small group met and then scattered choosing different locations to set up. I decided to paint the billy goats. I loved the tall water tower with the rooster weathervane and the red covered structures that provided shade for the animals while they eat their hay.

These goats where very smart, as soon as they saw me stop by the fence they came over right away, probably to see if I had food. But once I set up my easel, they all scattered to different parts of their pen so that there were none in my canvas view. After about an hour I think they forgot about me and made their way back to the hay barrel. Some would grab the hay from the bottom while others would jump up with their hooves on the metal frame and eat from the tippy top of the stack. It was fun to watch and observe as the little children and their parents would walk by. If the kids had a handful or hat full of food, the larger billy goats would jump onto the fence, stretch their necks and stick out their tongues to get a bit of food. 

It was Halloween day and folks young and old were dressed in costumes. Some braved the cold but others had big winter parkas on over their princess gowns. 
​
When I arrived I met Mr. Silverman and he suggested that our group of painters take a walk to the top of hillside to see the view. And what a view! It was a hike up the hill past the orchard trees but so worth the climb. I would love to return to paint the animals and the incredible view.

Thank you for being apart of this art journey -
Linda

I'm really excited to share with you that I'll be offering a 2021 Art Calendar! I'm gathering a variety of paintings I created over the past year, still life, figurative and of course Connecticut landscape paintings. Each month will feature a different painting. 

The calendar will be available for $24.95 which includes shipping. Order more than one and save on shipping!

I'll make an announcement as soon as the calendar is ready to order.

Purchase a painting either from my website on during an Open Studio visit and receive a 2021 Calendar for FREE!