Meadow's Edge, Fall and R. G. Packer
The first time I'd really heard about "covering the canvas" was in an artists studio in North Conway New Hampshire. Richard Gordan Packer was the artist. It was quite cold in the studio we could see our breath! Mr. Packer was preparing canvases for a painting trip to Massachusetts while kindly answering my questions while letting me watch him paint.
He was explaining his process to me. He was going to a place where he knew he wanted to paint. It included wharfs and warehouses, which he blocked in to prepare his canvases for painting on location throughout different times of the day and different weather conditions. He then told me stories about his travels to Europe and what he'd learned about the villages he painted. He told me these stories one painting at a time. As a history buff, I very much enjoyed hearing about his artistic journey and his travels throughout the world and the United States.
The painting on the left was me utilizing leftover paint from another painting. I hate the thought of wasting paint. The original idea was a fall scene with reflections in water. But as the painting progressed I was drawn away from that idea to the forest and meadows I explored and played in while growing up in Westbrook Maine. Most of those childhood playgrounds are gone. Long since developed. But the memories remain.
He kindly let me observe him painting. So much of what he said was beyond me, at that time, as I had barely begun my artistic journey and I'd not experimented with oil paints. He spoke fondly about North Conway, when he'd built his house and studio back in the early 1950's. How he'd worked as a truck driver to continue to pursue his painting career. Long before the arrival of outlet stores. Just the beauty and charm of the region and of small village life. One winter landscape painting caught his attention and he shared the story of snowshoeing to this spot and painting this scene for a friend.
This is a painting of his which is similar to the canvas he was prepping on the day of my visit. He was actually preparing multiple canvases of the same scene.
Oil Painting by R. G. Packer
I never had the opportunity to connect with Mr. Packer again. I was unable to connect with Mr. Packer on my next visit to North Conway and shortly afterward I'd learned that he had passed away. He was so generous with his time and gentle advice on how to get started with painting on location. I'll always be thankful for that visit.
I remember my mother and her sisters talking about the early days in North Conway. I always enjoyed our trips to visit my Aunt on Mt. Cranmore. I even remember the covered bridge which has long since burned down. Later, my wife and I would enjoy Christmas shopping, walking along the smaller stores on Main Street.
#oilpainting #northconway #newhampshire #maine #westbrook #RGPacker #RichardGordanPacker #arttherapy #fallinnewengland
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