Current Exhibit

‘A Walk in the Woods’

On Exhibit May 2- May 30, 2017

Austin Stilphen ~ ‘Saco River’ ~ Oil on Canvas 38″ x 48″

About the Exhibit and Reception

Richard Boyd Art Gallery opens an exhibit of American landscape paintings on May 2 at 10:00 a.m. Visual arts depicting landscapes have been around for centuries and remain one of the most collected.

Representational landscape art can depict an artist’s interpretation of a specific scene or a detailed rendering of a landscape before them. Interest in specific genres of art change over time, but visual arts depicting landscapes continue to flourish as artists create works that document natural areas untouched by modernization in hopes of reawakening our love of nature.

‘A Walk in the Woods’ features a selection of original works of visual art by artists’ Austin Stilphen – paintings in oil; Bob Santandrea – images in pastel; and Paul Noël – paintings in oil, watercolor and mixed media.

The exhibit is on view free of charge between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily through May 30, 2017. The public is invited to meet artists Austin Stilphen and Paul J. Noel at a reception at Richard Boyd Art Gallery, on Saturday, May 6 between the hours of 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.

About the Artists

Austin Stilphen ~ ‘Sunrise Over the Lake’ ~ Oil on Canvas 13″ x 22″

Austin Stilphen is a gifted landscapist whose paintings in oil depict his interpretation of rural American landscapes untouched by modernization. Stilphen’s representational paintings depict the beauty of nature and have extraordinary detail and luminism. His use of light and tight brushstrokes enhance the scene making it more realistic to the viewer.

Austin has the same vision as many landscape artists before him, to reawaken our love of nature. Inspired by 19th century Hudson River School artists, Stilphen strives to emulate not copy those painters that came before him and shares the same desire to preserve areas of natural beauty. Austin says, “I create these paintings in hopes people will understand and appreciate what we have on this planet. When we wake up tomorrow it could all just vanish.”

Bob Santandrea ~ “Salt Marsh” ~ Pastel on Paper 15″ x 18″

Bob Santandrea is a semi-retired patent attorney and chemist by training. His paintings are a means of self-expression and a welcome departure from his day job. For many years his primary artistic interests were the human form and portraiture.

Bob became more interested in landscapes and re-discovered his love of pastels after moving to Corning, NY. He is drawn to the colors and spontaneity that the medium allows.

Santandrea lays down an under painting in watercolor which adds a degree of luminosity to his work. The different effects provided by the softness and brilliance of pastel colors mixed with other mediums allow him to take a more impressionistic approach to his work. Weather permitting Bob prefers the challenges of working “en plein aire” to capture the natural colors and light of his surroundings.

Paul J. Noel ~ ‘Camouflage’ ~ Oil on Canvas 24″ x 18″

Artist Paul Noël’s traditional style landscape paintings in oil and watercolor are inspired by scenic landscapes near his home in Wells, ME. Noël’s paintings reflect his interpretation of nature and depict a range of scenes from local wildlife, to picturesque rural settings. His detailed paintings give the viewer a sense of place and invite them in for a closer look.

Paul is a member of the Newburyport Art Association and the Copley Society of Boston, and recently retired from a forty year career as an Interior Designer with a client list spanning the United States.