Preferred painting spots can have challenging elements, breathtaking views, or untamed stretches of wild nature. But for Tony D’Amico, more than anything, there’s no place like home.
“Near the Shoreline,” by Tony D’Amico, oil, 8 x 10 in.
Luckily, D’Amico’s home is the picturesque coast of Connecticut. “It’s a place people like to live and like to visit — the calming effect of the ocean makes it a place people want to be,” says D’Amico. “The world has enough bad stuff. I want to paint things of beauty.”
“Crashing Ashore,” by Tony D’Amico, oil, 8 x 10 in.
“A Long Marsh View,” by Tony D’Amico, oil, 10 x 8 in.
“Rising Tide at Fence Creek,” by Tony D’Amico, oil, 8 x 10 in.
Connecticut’s coastline has a variety of subject matter, according to the artist. He tackles waves, coves, inlets, flowering vegetation, coastal architecture, and the general seascape on his outings. “There’s always something to paint,” says D’Amico. “Early morning and dusk have the most dramatic lighting. That’s kind of a magnet. It’s harder to paint at midday, for sure, the values are so close. But the feeling I have when I’m out there painting is so peaceful. Solitude. You don’t see too many people in the places where I paint. On Wednesdays I paint with some other plein air painters and we seek out untouched spots and it’s just really magical. Being a native of Connecticut, I’m so familiar with it, and I feel like I am painting home, a place that makes me feel good. It’s like comfort food. I feel good when I paint it and I feel good when I look at it. It’s a cozy feeling.”
“At Rest in Southport Harbor,” by Tony D’Amico, oil, 8 x 10 in.
“Tidal Marsh by the Surf Club,” by Tony D’Amico, oil, 9 x 12 in.
D’Amico says the natural hazards are limited along Connecticut’s coast, too. “The weather is always an issue, especially with a lot of rain this year,” he says. “I wouldn’t say there’s hazards like out West — no snakes or wild animals. More like poison ivy and ticks — the enemy of this plein air artist, at least.”
