The Lieutenant River

"The Lieutenant River" 14" x 11" Pastel on canvas panel

I was in Old Lyme, Connecticut a few years ago and again before that. This is the Lieutenant River  in the back yard of the Florence Griswold House and Museum where the American Impressionists painted at the same time the movement was in progress in Europe. Many artists summered in the comfort in her large home. They painted during the day and chatted and played games in candlelight after dark.  I've spent hours in this place, channeling the energy of our country's Impressionists who created in this place 110 years ago.

I've painted this before, but not quite like this. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Carol

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Lieutenant River

"Lieutenant River" 16" x 20" Oil on gessoed panel

"We're going to Old Lyme for lunch. You'll like it there.  Artists used to paint there," said my daughter. I was from Illinois, a guest. What did I know about Florence Griswold or the Lieutenant River?  

It was 1997 when Natalie got her Masters in Psychology.  We did lunch in Old Lyme.  I was new to Impressionism, but tumbled hard into an infatuation, then love with what and where the American Impressionists painted. The terrain in Old Lyme was similar to what the European Impressionists were accustomed to painting. Florence had a huge home, a porch, flower gardens and in her back yard was the Lieutenant River.

Today there's a wonderful art museum on the grounds.  The Griswold home is open to the public, as is an art studio once used by William Chadwick.  Tomorrow I'll post a painting I copied from Chadwick called, "On the Piazza" painted in 1908 on the porch at Florence Griswold's home.

"Lieutenant River" is for sale on Dailypaintworks.com

Thank you for reading this lengthy missive.
Carol

Fox River/Lieutenant River

"Fox River/Lieutenant River" 12" x 12" Oil on canvas panel

I saw this image in a stack of photos and flipped it over to see the words "Fox River, East Troy, Wisconsin.  I needed to paint it.  It looks just like my favorite place in Old Lyme, Connecticut on the Lieutenant River where the American Impressionists painted in Florence Griswold's back yard.   


This painting was painted very quickly. I blocked in the various sections, established my sky, water and land masses. I know this place... well one of them, anyway, and I love it there. Painting it was like going on a trip.

See it in my Gallery on Dailypaintworks.com.  It's for sale via PayPal or on the DPW auction.

Thank you so much for looking today.
Carol