This volume presents a curated selection of works created by C. Sperry Andrews III during his decades at Weir Farm National Historical Park (1958-2005). His paintings from this long residency reflect the quiet beauty of the Connecticut landscape and form an important part of the creative legacy of Weir Farm. Because much of his work has remained out of public view, this book brings together a representative selection for new audiences. Archival materials-notes, diaries, letters-and remembrances from friends and fellow artists provide additional insight into his life and artistic practice.
Why I would like to be an Artist
Our own United States is a beautiful country, with a strong spirit, which runs throughout the land. You can sense it on a bright morning in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
You can see it in our people, in our farm lands, our cities. You can rejoice and be inspired by it.
Our own state of Connecticut is rich with beauty and spirit, a kind of close beauty that’s small enough to embrace in an afternoon. Not spectacular our state, like some of our Western ranches, but gentleness, hills which are a synthesis with the countryside. Think of it. An afternoon by the pond, things that go with the time of season in accord.
I like to paint from these things, where I work out-doors on the sight. I like to get to know the countryside like a friend, and through this familiarity comes understanding, the more we know it the more we can enjoy it.
I think it is very strong this harmony, the intimate beauty of our Connecticut landscape. A painter finds here the Bluebird in his own back yard. Seek no further, I think there’s an annual grown in the state by that name.
The credo for the artist:
(Go where the heart goes
If we only could recapture
the first careless rapture.)
Sperry Andrews
Ridgefield, Connecticut
May 24, 1958
Our own United States is a beautiful country, with a strong spirit, which runs throughout the land. You can sense it on a bright morning in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
You can see it in our people, in our farm lands, our cities. You can rejoice and be inspired by it.
Our own state of Connecticut is rich with beauty and spirit, a kind of close beauty that’s small enough to embrace in an afternoon. Not spectacular our state, like some of our Western ranches, but gentleness, hills which are a synthesis with the countryside. Think of it. An afternoon by the pond, things that go with the time of season in accord.
I like to paint from these things, where I work out-doors on the sight. I like to get to know the countryside like a friend, and through this familiarity comes understanding, the more we know it the more we can enjoy it.
I think it is very strong this harmony, the intimate beauty of our Connecticut landscape. A painter finds here the Bluebird in his own back yard. Seek no further, I think there’s an annual grown in the state by that name.
The credo for the artist:
(Go where the heart goes
If we only could recapture
the first careless rapture.)
Sperry Andrews
Ridgefield, Connecticut
May 24, 1958
This volume presents a curated selection of works created by C. Sperry Andrews III during his decades at Weir Farm National Historical Park (1958-2005). His paintings from this long residency reflect the quiet beauty of the Connecticut landscape and form an important part of the creative legacy of Weir Farm. Because much of his work has remained out of public view, this book brings together a representative selection for new audiences. Archival materials-notes, diaries, letters-and remembrances from friends and fellow artists provide additional insight into his life and artistic practice.