A family holiday to North America in the autumn of 2017 became much more than a chance to catch up with family and friends, and became the inspiration for a new series of paintings
Starting with a visit to NYC, we would then head to family in southern New Jersey, taking in the vibrant foliage of Vermont, and returning to New York via Connecticut.
October is a spectacular time to explore these areas, with the crisp air, breathtaking colors as the trees transform into vivid reds, oranges, and yellows, and the anticipation of Halloween in the air. Having visited NYC a couple of times before—including during the tragic events of September 2001—we were eager to see the city in the beauty of fall.
Staten Island, often referred to as "the forgotten borough" by locals, is the least populated of NYC's boroughs and boasts the most green spaces. Its somewhat isolated feel, separated from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan contributes to this reputation
After a brief visit to Staten Island, we headed to New Jersey to visit family in the quaint town of Island Heights nestled between Cape May and Atlantic City. With its colonial-style houses it reminded me of so many films from my childhood. Our home for two nights was a meticulously restored Camp Meeting house from 1887, adding a touch of history to our stay
Suburban America has always captivated me, and as the sun set and the lights flickered on in the houses, the town took on an eerie feel, reminiscent of classic films from our childhood. The scene was perfect for creating atmospheric paintings of quintessential white wooden houses, complete with wrap-around porches adorned with Halloween decorations
For a great example of this mood, check out the painting
'East Wind Over Weehawken' by Edward Hopper
Our next stop was Burlington, near the Canadian border. This vibrant city has a lively student population that adds to the buzz of the place
We stayed in a neighborhood just a short walk from the main street, in a brightly painted blue house captured in the painting below
Vermont has everything an artist could want: a vibrant artistic community, excellent leisure facilities, a top-notch university campus, scenic bike trails, and year-round activities from skiing in the winter to watersports on the lake in the summer. The lively bars, diverse restaurants, and of course, the art galleries, add to the appeal. The unique crisp light of the season, paired with the bright hues of the houses and the expansive feel of the surroundings, gave the neighborhood a distinctly Hopper-esque quality—perfect for capturing on canvas
Vermont state as a whole has many similar characteristics to places in Austria. In the early 1940s, the Von-Trapp family toured the United States as the Trapp Family Singers before eventually settling in the beautiful town of Stowe on a farm with sweeping mountain vistas reminiscent of their beloved Austria. Here is my take on a vermont vista, with a typical red barn of this area in the foreground.
This incredible trip helped me understand what inspires me as an artist and how I can channel that inspiration to evolve and explore my painting style. I found myself naturally drawn back to the themes explored during my time there on return to the UK. I eagerly anticipate another visit to this incredible region in the near future and hope you will join me!