"Our New England Home"

Hello everyone! I am happy to announce that Cathy McDonnell of Revolutionary Redesigns (facebook.com/revolutionaryredesigns) and I have teamed up to create "Our New England Home"!  This joint venture…located at Corner Antiques and Collectibles (facebook.com/corner-antiques) 53R Great Rd in Bedford, MA…allows us to showcase our passion for historically-inspired design! At “Our New England Home” you will find my Rufus Porter-style scenic landscape murals and painting (originals and prints), re-purposed tables painted with bucolic New England landscape scenes, and the historic designs of Moses Eaton, Jr.  The shop also features Cathy’s stunning furniture…which she transforms from timeworn and tired…to amazing!  Using old-fashioned milk paint in historic colors, the finishes she achieves on her pieces are truly remarkable!  We hope that the items found in our shop will inspire YOU to create period interiors that are cozy, welcoming, and wonderfully reminiscent of a bygone era in New England! Come see us soon!

www.earlyamericanpainter.com

Painted Planters

I did a very fun project recently...I painted Rufus Porter inspired landscape scenes on salvaged planters! All the "girls" in the family received one at Easter. Each planter was personalized with the recipients house and other things... They were a big hit!!

Close up of the village scene at top of the hill...

Rufus Porter inspired cultivated hillside

I  recently had the opportunity to view original Rufus Porter murals at the Abraham Colby House in Amesbury, Massachusetts.  One of the walls had a beautiful cultivated hillside scene, and it turned into the inspiration for a new painting! 

Old Wilton Center

Inspired by the quaint New England village of Wilton, NH and its beautiful historic center!

 

 

 

www.earlyamericanpainter.com

 

Sneak Preview! Cultivated hillside and Colonial Village in the spirit of Rufus Porter!

More...coming soon!
www.earlyamericanpainter.com


 

Mackworth Island Circa 1835

Hi and Happy New Year!! Here is my latest painting "Mackworth Island Circa 1835".  This harbor scene is named for one of the many islands in Casco Bay, and it is painted on a fully cradled and braced Baltic Birch panel (24" X 36") with a crackly, aged patina. Both the original and Fine Art Giclee prints are available!  Please visit my website:  www.earlyamericanpainter.com for additional information.

Mackworth Island 

Circa 1835

Bringing a Wonderful Country Table "Back to Life" !

Working on a new project...which involves bringing a great country table “back to life”! It appears to me that this beautiful oak table, with gorgeous turned legs, had recently been used as a kid’s craft table! Sticky stuff everywhere on the black spray painted tabletop! Really? I am just now sketching out ideas for the Rufus Porter-inspired painting that will soon decorate the table! Even contemplating some Moses Eaton, Jr. style embellishments!  Be sure to visit my website where you can view some of my recent table projects!  www.earlyamericanpainter.com

Done!

Here is a sneak peek at the finished piece…mentioned in the previous post!  It is a quintessential Rufus Porter-inspired harbor scene!  The mural, done with acrylics, is painted on a fully cradled (2” cradle) and braced Baltic Birch panel, 24" X 36" and ready to hang. The painting has a lovely vintage appearance...crackled in many areas. In approximately 2 weeks, I will apply a barrier coat and then several coats of a matte shellac. This original will be for sale, and I will also be offering fine art giclee prints!  It will be posted soon on www.earlyamericanpainter.com.

 

 

New Rufus Porter Inspired Landscape Mural!

I just started a new Rufus Porter inspired harbor scene!  Backgrounds are done,  and the "shells"  of the colonial homes on the main island are in.  This painting is 24" X 36".  All of  the harbor scenes that I paint are my interpretation of Porter's view of Casco Bay, Portland Maine.  Around 1812, when young Rufus was a fife and drummer in the Portland Light Infantry, he trained many days on Munjoy Hill.  At that time, the hillside was planted with magnificent feather duster Elm trees, which surrounded his view of the harbor.  Some believe that the expansive harbor scenes that he would later paint on the walls of homes, inns, and taverns were inspired by his memory of those days spent on Munjoy Hill overlooking Casco bay with its numerous islands and sailboats.  Please visit www.earlyamericanpainter.com for more information on my paintings in the spirit of Rufus Porter!

New Website dedicated to Rufus Porter Inspired Scenic Landscape Murals!

Today I am announcing the launch of my new website www.earlyamericanpainter.com !  This website is a continuation of my work in the area of Early American Decoration, and is focused on one of America's most important folk artists, Rufus Porter.  On this website I am offering original art, fine art giclee prints, and painted country tables all inspired by the 19th century scenic landscape murals of Rufus Porter.  Each painting is a tribute to the genius of Rufus Porter and to life in the small villages and coastal towns of 19th century New England.  Please stop by!

 

Historic Folk Art on Display at Rowley Public Libary, Rowley, MA during Month of June!

Hi there!  If you stop by the Rowley Public Library in Rowley MA during the month of June, you will see some of my artwork displayed in the lobby.  My paintings in the tradition of the Rufus Porter School of Landscape Murals and stenciled folk art motifs in the tradition of Moses Eaton, Jr.now fill the lobby.  I hope you can stop by!

Historic Damon Tavern Open during Apple Festival- September 21, 2013

The circa 1817 David Damon Tavern, will be open during the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society’s Apple Festival on Saturday, September 21. Please stop by to reacquaint yourself with this historic tavern… a remarkable and enduring gem in the heart of North Reading! 

 Suzanne Korn of North Reading will be at the Historical Society’s Welcome Center to meet and greet and to answer any questions you might have about the Tavern and the folk art landscape murals that are found in the second floor ballroom.  The murals are attributed to 19^th century itinerant artisan, Rufus Porter.  Please Note:  The murals are not open to the public at this time.

 Suzanne is a self-described “student” of Rufus Porter and Moses Eaton, Jr., both 19th-century New England folk artists.  Through her published research, illustrated talks, and artwork, Suzanne educates others about the extraordinary role Eaton and Porter’s folk art played in the lives of 19^th century rural New Englanders. In the summer of 2005, Suzanne completed a project at the Damon Tavern, where she stenciled the walls of the Welcome Center in the tradition of Moses Eaton Jr. 

During the Apple Festival, Suzanne’s artwork will be on display and she will demonstrate the techniques and methodologies for creating a Rufus Porter style folk art landscape. North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society merchandise as well as Suzanne's Rufus Porter-inspired notecards and artwork will be for sale.

On the day of the Apple Festival, don’t  forget to stop by the Damon Tavern!  It is located at 21 Bow Street… just down the sidewalk from the Rev. Putnam house and across the street from the Flint Library…

 

Contact Suzanne Korn at vintagestenciling@comcast.net with any questions!

New England's Timeless Decoration: The Folk Art of Moses Eaton, Jr. and Rufus PorterSuzanne's next presentation will be at the 3rd Congregational Church in Alstead, NH on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 7PM. 

It will be a fun and informative evening! Attendees will learn about the quintessential folk art of Moses Eaton, Jr. and Rufus Porter, and the impact their folk art had on the lives of rural New Englanders and the history of decorative arts in America.

The evening will feature a slideshow of Suzanne's journeys throughout New England, where she have conducted research in homes, inns and taverns with Eaton's historic wall stenciling and Porter's signature landscape murals. Early stenciled homes in the Monadnock area will be showcased:  The Moses Eaton, Jr. Home, in Harrisville; the Colburn-Weston Home in Temple; and Alstead's own Hutchinson-Hitch House.  The history of wall stenciling in New England, the life and times of Moses Eaton, Jr., and the genius of Rufus Porter, are all topics that will be explored.  

Don't miss this must see event offered by the Alstead Centennial Commitee!
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Suzanne has been researching, studying and writing about early New England wall stenciling for over 10 years, and her research has been published in The Decorator, a publication of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration. In 2005, Suzanne completed a project at North Reading's David Damon Tavern, where she stenciled the walls of the Historical Society's Welcome Center in the tradition of 19th century stenciler, Moses Eaton, Jr.   http://vintage-stenciling.com

New England's Timeless Decoration:  The Folk Art of Moses Eaton, Jr. and Rufus Porter

My next presentation will be at the Amesbury Public Library, Amesbury Massachusetts on Monday, October 22, 2012  6-8pm. 

It will be a fun and informative evening where attendees will learn about the tremendous impact the folk art of Eaton and Porter had on the lives of rural New Englanders in Federal period America.

The evening will feature a slideshow of my journeys throughout New England, where I have conducted research in homes, inns and taverns with Eaton's historic wall stenciling and Porter's signature landscape murals. The history of wall stenciling in New England, the life and times of Moses Eaton, Jr., and the genius of Rufus Porter, are all topics that will be explored. Some exciting new research regarding Rufus Porter will also be discussed.
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Suzanne has been researching, studying and writing about early New England wall stenciling for over 10 years, and her research has been published in The Decorator, a publication of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration. In 2005, Suzanne completed a project at North Reading's David Damon Tavern, where she stenciled the walls of the Historical Society's Welcome Center in the tradition of 19th century stenciler, Moses Eaton, Jr.

The Folk Art of Moses Eaton, Jr., and Rufus Porter

On Thursday,  May 10, 2012, 7:00 – 9:00pm, at the Flint Memorial Library (North Reading, Mass),  Suzanne Korn of North Reading will be presenting “New England’s Timeless Decoration:  The Folk Art of Moses Eaton, Jr. and Rufus Porter”.    It will be a fun and informative evening where attendees will learn about the tremendous impact the folk art of Eaton and Porter had on the lives of rural New Englanders in Federal period America.

The evening will feature a slideshow of Korn’s journeys throughout New England, where she has conducted research in homes, inns and taverns with Eaton’s historic wall stenciling and Porter’s signature landscape murals.  The history of wall stenciling in New England, the life and times of Moses Eaton, Jr., and the genius of Rufus Porter, are all topics that will be explored.  Some exciting new research regarding Rufus Porter will also be discussed.    

 

Suzanne has been researching, studying and writing about early New England wall stenciling for over 10 years, and her research has been published in The Decorator, a publication of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration.  In 2005, Suzanne completed a project at North Reading’s David Damon Tavern, where she stenciled the walls of the Historical Society’s Welcome Center in the tradition of 19^th century stenciler, Moses Eaton, Jr.

Suzanne to speak about Moses Eaton, Jr., April 11 in Melrose, Massachusetts

Suzanne Korn of North Reading, MA will be presenting “Folk Art on the Walls:  New England’s Timeless Decoration” at the Monthly AAUW meeting being held on Wednesday April 11, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church at 645 Main St, Melrose, MA.   Suzanne has been researching, studying and writing about early New England  wall stenciling for over 10 years, and her research has been published in The Decorator, a publication of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration.   It will be a fun and informative evening where folks can learn about the history of wall stenciling in New England and the importance this decoration played in the lives of 19^th century rural New Englanders.  Suzanne’s presentation will feature a slideshow of her journeys throughout New England, where she has visited homes, inns and taverns with historic wall stenciling.  Suzanne will also present the life and times of Moses Eaton, Jr., 19^th century gentleman farmer and stenciler extraordinaire.  Suzanne’s presentation will surely take you back to a simpler… less-hurried time …where the independent spirit of hearty New Englanders was undeniable …and the folk art decoration on their walls was lively and bold!

Folk Art on the Walls: New England's Timeless Decoration

On Tuesday, July 19^th at 7:00PM, at the Congregational Church in Northwood Center, Northwood, NH,  Suzanne Korn of North Reading, MA will be presenting “Folk Art on the Walls:  New England’s Timeless Decoration”.   Suzanne has been researching, studying and writing about early New England  wall stenciling for over 10 years, and her research has been published in The Decorator, a publication of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration.   It will be a fun and informative evening where folks can learn about the history of wall stenciling in New England and the importance it played in the lives of 19^th century rural New Englanders.  Suzanne’s presentation will feature a slideshow of her journeys throughout New England, where she has visited homes, inns and taverns with historic wall stenciling.  Suzanne will also present the life and times of Moses Eaton, Jr., 19^th century gentleman farmer and stenciler extraordinaire.  Suzanne’s presentation will surely take you back to a simpler… less-hurried time …where the independent spirit of hearty New Englanders was undeniable …and the folk art decoration on their walls was lively and bold!

Vintage New England Stenciling Website Now Live!

I'm pleased to announce that Vintage New England Stenciling is now live!  Visit us for all kinds of information on early American stenciling and the artistic legacy of Moses Eaton, Jr...itinerant stenciler extraordinaire!  Now, sit back and relax and take a trip back in time….to a simpler, less-hurried time in New England. Enjoy the stories of colonial symbolism associated with each folk art pattern, and picture a time when the independent spirit of hearty New Englanders was undeniable …and the folk art decoration on their walls was lively and bold!

Coming Soon.... a unique website that honors the folk art traditions of 19th century New England.  Learn about the history of early American stenciling...the quaint folk art patterns and designs of Moses Eaton, Jr... and the country homes, inns and taverns in New England where his delightful folk art is found!