Capturing a masterpiece … while plein-air painting

Every child looks forward to the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, with the promise of long days of leisure. For me, a much-anticipated ritual was a trip to the local library. Accompanied by our parents, my two sisters and I would march into Methuen’s Nevins Memorial Library, cards proudly in hand, and walk out clutching our precious finds. The first days of summer were spent sitting under a tree in the back yard, the soothing sounds of the season surrounding us, as we entered worlds of fairies, goblins, girl detectives and other kids our age who were always up to some kind of mischief. In the days way before computers and cell phones, reading was the best way to escape to any place we desired.

While the borrowed books were the goal, part of the intrigue of our library excursions was the library itself (built in 1883, renovated in the 1970s and expanded by 2002). Even before we entered the building, the drive onto the grounds set the tone. Ancient trees towered above us as we stepped out of the family car. The graceful statues on the grounds whispered stories of years gone by. Looking up at the gargoyles and carved stonework embellishing the building, I always felt as if I were entering a castle, and as we walked under the massive arched porte-cochere (the sheltered drive-through entrance), I felt very small yet quite special.

My inner princess always felt at home surrounded by the richness of the interior, with its dark wood, stained-glass windows, spiral staircases and brick fireplace. The views from the oversized windows were intriguing, glimpses of statues sheltered by the age-old trees. Even before cracking open the pages of a book, I was transported.

What better place, this magical place of turrets, angels and gargoyles, for an artist to set up camp to paint for an afternoon? The Greater Salem (NH) Artists Association did just that on a chilly but sunny day in April. Armed with their paints, palettes and brushes, members positioned themselves around the library exterior to study and reproduce bits and pieces of this historic structure and its grounds.

Mary Lou Melanson had never visited the library.

“I was so impressed with the building and the grounds,” she says. “As soon as I saw the round tower, I knew I wanted to paint it. The shapes and colors in the sunlight really interested me. I found a sunny spot and started to draw the building in pencil, then added the pen and ink and, finally, the watercolor. It’s always interesting to paint with a group of artists and see what they decide to paint. And it’s so exciting to see their results.”

Member Sheri Sharkey had admired the Romanesque Revival style of the library’s architecture for many years, yet she was challenged as she began to sketch a section of the building.

“I chose the front of the building because I love the gargoyles and sculptures,” she says. “This building is just beautiful; but the angles of the architecture are crazy! I never noticed this. Drawing was a whole different thing. I spent a lot of time on the arches, but was still not happy with the finished painting. My top row of windows is off, as well. If this had been a commissioned piece, I would do it over. But I had a fun day painting!”

“I chose the area of the library grounds with the Sycamore trees, as I loved the color and contrast,” says Christine Arruda. “But the challenge was that I had to set up in the shade on a cold day.”

Sometimes artists must suffer for their work.

Amy Schmidt attended her first plein-air event to see if she liked this style of painting and to learn from others who were skilled at painting on the spot outdoors.

“What I learned,” she says, “is that I didn’t have the right supplies. I ended up with grass in my paints, and I even spilled paint across my painting at one point because my setup was so awkward.”

Her decision to paint the stone animal carving on the building was based partially because this view allowed her to set up in a sunny spot on the chilly day.

She adds, “I am not an architectural painter, which I think is clear when you see my resulting painting. But this is really an incredible group of people who are so inspiring and encouraging to a newcomer like me. And I have already modified my setup for my next painting adventure.”

“I have enjoyed taking my grandchildren to Nevins Library, and several years ago took a photo of them in front of an ancient tree,” says Jerie Artz. “I set up my easel in front of the same tree. An extra charm of the tree that I painted is a ‘Give a Rock, Take a Rock Kindness Garden’ at the base.”

“I was attracted to the rich brick color of the library, in particular the way that it contrasted with the blue morning sky,” says Harlene Miller. “I tried to narrow my focus to a portion of the top of the building that best illustrated that contrast. But I didn’t realize until I got deeper into the painting just how much detail was in that roof. I struggle with perspective and architecture, but it was a fun time with friends, so I tried to make the best of it.”

Each artist had a unique experience in attempting to transfer decades of history to canvas and paper. Yet, much like me at that young age, they each came away with the feeling that they had spent time in a unique little corner filled with history, beauty and mystique.

A writer and photographer, Patricia Bruno is also the owner of The Winged Rabbit gift shop in downtown Haverhill.