quiltersmuse.com Blog

Art is alive and well in New Hampshire in the home of Bill and Betsy Davis, our longtime friends. Bill has been in love with drawing, ever since he could hold a pencil. Although he has tried other media, he always comes back to charcoal, graphite, and watercolors. He states that he loves the large selections of color that are included in some professional watercolor paint sets, as that precludes having to mix colors. Trying to mix the same watercolor hue, a second time, is a bear.

Just recently, Bill posted a website that shows a small portion of his work that is for sale: William Davis Fine Art. He is semi-retired, having owned his own drafting business in Webster, New Hampshire, for a number of years, called DraftTech.

The sketch above is one by Bill Davis, seen here, with his permission. It is one of my favorites, reminding me of the farm and small town where I grew up. The drawing shows a horse-drawn mower from circa 1925.

I have lost track of the number of Christmas cards that Bill and Betsy have artistically-drawn and painted. Of course, I have saved them all. Here is an example of a greeting card, used here with Bill’s permission.

“Wood Lilies” by Bill Davis, 2002

The Internet version cannot capture the true color of the sky, which is blue. Called “Wood Lilies,” Bill created the card in memory of his beloved sister, Paddy. On the back of the card, he identifies the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain, West Rumney, New Hampshire as the place where he saw these Lilies. This was a favorite destination for his sister. She held a deep appreciation for nature. He painted the image in 2002.

This is a photo of Bill and Betsy when they were visiting Pat and Jim Cummings at the Cummings’ home on 11-14-1994.

Betsy, who is a State of New Hampshire retiree in the field of health promotion, is currently studying with Elaine Farmer of Londonderry, a renowned local artist who sells her work in galleries.

Betsy prefers acrylic paints. Having done some oil painting in my teen years, I asked her if the acrylics dry too fast, and she replied that she likes to purchase Utrecht paints and the company sells a retardant that slows down the drying process. However, with acrylics, once they are dry, they can be painted over.

She also likes the company called Gamblin because they stress that their products are safe for the environment and people! However, she is always sure to wash her hands before eating, especially if she has been working with “Cadmium Red” that contains Cadmium, not something that is good to ingest.

After dabbling in “En plein air” painting, which simply means painting outside to take advantage of natural light, the couple has traveled to Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Ireland, Great Britain, Italy, and Switzerland, in search of places to set up their easels and record bridges, buildings, and other sights.

In New Hampshire, a favorite place to do plein air painting is in Tamworth, at the Remick Farm & Museum, with its view of Mt. Chocorua and the yellow farm buildings.

For more information about plein air painting, a favorite technique of the school of French Impressionism, see this website.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little profile of two of my favorite people. We wish them all the best in all of their artistic endeavors.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Press Release

VISIONS OF A WHITE MOUNTAIN PALETTE, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CHARLES A. HUNT IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM THE MADISON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, MADISON, NH.

The Madison Historical Society continues to offer the book, Visions from a White Mountain Palette, The Life and Times of Charles A. Hunt, by Roy Bubb. The cost is $40 per copy; Mr. Bubb contributes 100% of the sale of each book to the Madison Historical Society Building Restoration Fund.

About the Book

Who was Charles A. Hunt? Roy Bubb, Madison Historical Society docent, was often asked that question from visitors, and so he began researching the life and work of this little-known artist. Bubb uncovered Hunt’s life in Nashua, New Hampshire, and his ties to Madison families. He found old photographs related to Hunt and his family. Interviews with Hunt’s cousins shed light on unanswered questions. The author discovered other paintings, not in the MHS collection, that were attributed to the artist. Bubb visited many Madison homesteads that were subjects of Hunt paintings. Subsequently, he uncovered history on the early settlers in town, who struggled to farm the rocky hillsides.

A native of Madison, Charles A. Hunt (1852- 1930) painted the farms of his hometown. In the manner of other White Mountain artists, he painted views of Mount Chocorua, the Saco River Valley, and Mount Washington. Bubb’s book includes critique from art historian, Charlotte Colby Anderson, who describes Hunt’s “wonderful sense of color” and “his excellent feel for composition.” All of this skill shows “a painterly ability in a supposedly untaught painter.”

Bubb located 20 paintings, some privately owned, and others from several museums. Perhaps this publication will uncover more works of art by Hunt, and he will once again be known for his artistic talents. Upon his death in Nashua, where he lived for 60 years, he was described in his obituary as “a landscape artist of considerable note.”

Visions from a White Mountain Palette, The Life and Times of Charles A. Hunt, was published in 2008 by Peter E. Randall Publisher LLC, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Book cost is $40, which includes shipping and handling in the continental United States. Copies may be obtained through the Madison Historical Society, PO Box 505, Madison, NH, 03849; by e-mail at ghostduster@roadrunner.com; or through their website, http://madisonhistorical.us/.

About The Author

Roy Bubb was born in Orleans County in western New York State of a farm family. Educated in the New York State University system, he taught in Niagara Falls, New York, later spending 25 years as Assistant Professor at the College of Brockport, State University of New York.

Upon retiring to Silver Lake, New Hampshire, he became interested in the artistic works of Charles A. Hunt, an unknown White Mountain painter, who spent many years in the Madison area between 1852- 1930. The author, in his research, relied on the recollection from distant cousins for information on this reclusive artist.

Prior to this book, Roy Bubb wrote his memoirs, Memories of Manning Corners, which was published by the New York Historical Society.

(We certainly enjoyed presenting a program about Sweetheart Pillows to the Madison Historical Society last year and attending another of their programs. Great fun! – Pat and Jim)

For more information, contact:
Mary K. W. Lucy
MHS President
PO Box 505
Madison, NH 03849
(603) 367- 4535
ghostduster@roadrunner.com
http://madisonhistorical.us/

Robin M. Tagliaferri Ferreira
MHS Secretary
(401) 826- 3013
rmtferri@gmail.com

I have just written a new file about the topic of “Chalk Talks.” These appear to have been most popular in the early twentieth century. I have been intrigued with the name. If anyone hears of some other person who is known for this kind of illustrated instruction, I’d love to hear more!

Pat Cummings

New Hampshire is a very historical place and I am ever amazed at the wonderful publication by the NH Historical Society, entitled “Historical New Hampshire.” The most recent issue is called, “Consuming Views: Art and Tourism in the White Mountains 1850-1900.” In it are marvelous painted views of the mountains that all New Hampshire residents know and love.

It is a wild area and most of the mountains are covered with trees. The cover painting shows a view of Echo Lake that is at the base of a high peak that once featured “The Old Man of the Mountain.”

Before seeing this journal, I had no idea that there was so much art associated with the White Mountains.

The White Mountains is certainly a tourist area these days, with its walking and bike trails, and its very special rock formations, such as The Basin. Most beautiful in the fall, people venture here from all over the world. It is not surprising to hear the person next to you, speaking Japanese.

Signs to watch for deer and moose are along the side of the roads. One day, toward dusk, we actually saw a bear eating something, on the other side the road’s guard rail, as we whizzed by.

For more information about the NH Historical Society, please visit their website: www.nhhistory.org. It may be possible to purchase a copy of this publication in their museum store. The thick catalog was sent to members and was created in conjunction with a current exhibit.

The leaves are turning. I love New Hampshire! Ah, peach pie…fresh apple cider…maple sugar candy…can’t be beat!

9/21/06: As an addendum to this post, I have been notified by a museum staff member that a hardbound version of this current Historical NH publication is now available. Copies can be purchased @$39.95 in the museum gift store, and members receive a 10% discount. The publisher, New England Press, is also distributing copies.
Anyone who joins as a member, between now and February 2007, will automatically receive a copy of the softbound edition. For membership information, please call: (603) 856-0621.
Pat from the Spider’s Web