Opening Day and Unveilings at Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library in Dudley, Massaschusetts

Today was the emotional culmination of 10-15 years of planning by the Crawford family and several months of work on my part. The stunning new library was opened with the entire family present from all over the country. The thought and care that went into this gorgeous library was truly heartfelt—–from the teen room where there were tall stools with welcoming and warm decor and computers for the teens to access, as well as cafe-style booths; to murals depicting the charming Dudley town, including one on which showed the time the library opened on the church clock (11:10 am); to an on-going Powerpoint slide show commemorating the family's history. The family with its history of owning mills locally is remarkably generous to provide such a stunning place for the Dudley community to be able to enjoy for decades to come.

It was a delight to work with all the Crawfords who I met along the way through this journey and I was truly honored to be chosen to paint two portraits for them: the posthumous portrait of the library's namesake: Pearle L. Crawford and a double portrait of the predominant benefactors Hugh and Harriet Crawford, Jr.

Also please note the exquisite framing on both paintings. The framing was completed by Page-Waterman Gallery in Wellesley. They placed the oval liner on the painting of Pearle in addition to the frame as we requested. You can always count on Page-Waterman for perfection in framing. They have never let me down.


www.soniahale.com

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

For Boston area art lovers: N.C. Wyeth paintings and other works at the Needham Public Library

One of the more exciting things as an art lover is when you come upon one of your favorite artist's paintings unexpectedly. I have been aware of the N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945) paintings at the Needham Public Library in Needham, MA but had more time to spend looking at them recently. N.C. was extraordinary in his ability to create dramatic works of art. He used every device at his disposal to do so. The raw emotion he was able to emit is memorable. In his lifetime N.C. created over 3000 works and more than 100 book illustrations!

N.C. (Newell Convers) Wyeth was born on the outskirts of Needham in 1882. He displayed an early aptitude for art and studied locally before being sent to be part of an elite group of artists studying under Howard Pyle, one of the most prominent illustrators of his time.

The Needham Public Library owns 14 works by NC Wyeth. I will add some photos soon. The library was designed in 1914 and renovated in about 2005-7. The architectural/design firm Ann Beha of Boston utilized NC Wyeth's paintings an an integral role in the interior design.

I highly recommend art and book lovers take time to see the lovely works in Needham and don't forget pick up a few books to read while you're at it.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Robert Cormier, Boston Schooled trained arist 1932-2010

above: Bob Cormier, "Man with the Fur Collar" pastel, created when the artist was 24 year old

I studied with Bob briefly, less than a half year on a weekly basis after a friend invited me into the class, but his words echo in my head from time to time as I paint and they inform me.

Bob was a Boston-School trained artist, who studied with the famed R.H. Ives Gammell, who himself had trained with William M. Paxton, who had studied with the French painter Jean-Leon Gerome. I did not study long enough or intensively enough to be a part of this lineage myself, but I enjoyed being in Bob's company and under his wing as we painted beautifully dressed models from life each week in natural light. One of the fellow artists and I recently thought about how we would love to still be able to attend this class to paint from life and enjoy the company of Bob and the other artists.

Bob was a kind man who gently steered. He spent time with me spraying a pastel so I could add more layers. He encouraged me to expand my range. There are a few things I learned from Bob which I have no doubt I will take with me for my entire life, and what a gift that is.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Pond in Spring

Here is one of my latest pondscapes. A mostly plein air piece with a few touch ups back in the studio. (I went back to adjust the saturation of this painting on my computer. Sometimes images will look different from one computer to another too.)

Oil on linen. 14" x 18"

To see more of my landscape gallery paintings click here

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Plein Air painting at the Pond

Plein air painting/painting from life is important to me. Here my set up with the 2 geese posing from last week. The geese and wildlife did not make it into my painting! I will post the new completed painting soon. Witnessing life firsthand—to have one's senses a part of the equation is a good thing that can only enhance one's work.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Thoughts on Portrait Likeness and Character: my portrait subjects are the Stars

Just as an actress seeks to become the character, I seek to find my portrait subject's character. For posthumous paintings I get to know the subject by talking with the family. Ultimately my goal is to bring out the best of the person on my canvases and to make them the star, to shine.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Another great conference: 2010 Portrait Society of America conference in Washington D.C.

I'm back to work in my studio in full force this week, very much inspired after an action-packed few days in Washington, D.C. The Portrait Society of America's annual conference is filled with painting demonstrations, lectures, bus trips to local museums, a banquet to celebrate the top portrait artists in the country and this year even offered a wonderful mystery art sale.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.