In addition to my early American painting, I also enjoy painting in a slightly more modern style that features a bright color palette, minimal landscapes, expressive skies, small cottages, stone churches, farms, and fields of flowers. I love the peaceful spirit of these simple vignettes of rural American life. I am actually looking forward to focusing more on this style in the near future! Who doesn’t need more peace? :)
I just started adding favorite scripture verses to these paintings with the intent of offering scripture cards, note cards, and prints. Hoping such prints and cards will be a source of peace and encouragement for others.
How did you start Early American Painter? Had you been making folk art for a while or was this a new leap for you?
My folk art definitely had it’s genesis in my research and study of early American paint-decorated walls… but the really interesting thing is that up until 11 years ago, I had never painted anything freehand in my life! I had no painting talent at all! - Or so I thought. In 2010, on a whim, I decided to take a class at the Rufus Porter Museum in Bridgton, Maine... “Painting in the style of Rufus Porter.” Never in my wildest dreams did I suspect that my life would change forever from that one experience! With lots of follow up study of Porter’s methodologies, formulas, and designs, and by studying his original murals in homes all over New England, I somehow got to this place of creativity!
It wasn’t until 2015, when I took an early retirement package, did I have the opportunity to really focus on my folk art. A couple of years after retiring, I was able to rent some space at While Home Collections in Wilton, NH. That gave me so much great experience and I learned so much about running my business. I had my “shop” at White Home for 1.5 years, right up until they sadly closed their doors in December of 2018. It was such a privilege displaying and selling my folk art creations at this beautiful landmark shop. I loved meeting many of my clients and becoming friends with them.