Whether you are a painter or photographer, no matter the medium, the canal inspires artists, and it has done so for nearly two centuries. As long as the canal has flowed through this region, artists have interpreted the natural beauty of this scenic waterway.
The completion of the Delaware Canal in 1832 fueled growth along its path. Mills of all kinds began to flourish along with quarries, farms, and foundries. Activity peaked during the Civil War, however many people drawn here by industry came to cherish the beauty of the local area.
By the turn of the century, New Hope and other river towns began to grow a colony of artists. These new settlers included William Lathrop, and Edward Redfield, who were joined later by Daniel Garber, Fern Coppedge, and William Taylor. They all tended to be impressionistic in style, with later artists becoming bolder in their use of color and form. Here is a brief synopsis of some of the body of work left behind for all to enjoy today.
William Langston Lathrop (1859-1938) is considered the founder of the New Hope Art Colony. He came to the hamlet of Phillips Mill in 1899 and established an art school, often taking his students on his canal boat, Sunshine, for en plein air landscaping painting excursions. Lathrop mentored many aspiring painters and was credited with attracting many artists to the area, including Daniel Garber and Morgan Colt, both members of what became known as the New Hope Group.
Along with his love of teaching, Lathrop was an avid sailor. He hand-built a sailboat named The Widge in his backyard along the Canal. It launched in 1930, and Lathrop spent a considerable amount of time sailing up and down the east coast. At the age of 79, he was sailing off the coast of Long Island when a hurricane approached. Although he sheltered in a nearby bay, he didn’t survive the storm. The Widge was found intact, however Lathrop’s body wasn’t recovered until a month later.
Edward Redfield (1869-1965) was one of the most notable American Impressionists of his time. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, spent time in France, met his wife, and returned to Bucks County to settle in New Hope. Redfield is often considered the “co-founder” of the New Hope Art Colony and one of the preeminent Pennsylvania Impressionists.
While many other artists were looking to European painters for inspiration, Redfield and many of his contemporaries created a new, distinctly American style. One critic Nilsen Lurvik noted that Redfield’s style of American Landscape Painting had a “veracity and force that is astonishing the eyes of the Old World.”
Fern Coppedge (1883-1951) At a very early age, Fern Coppedge displayed an exuberant use of color in landscapes often seen as drab and dull. Born in the mid-west, Coppedge studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Art Students League of New York with William Merritt Chase, and with Daniel Garber at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Coppedge and her husband settled in Lumberville, Bucks County in 1920, and later built a home on the river in New Hope. She was known to brave the elements, preferring plein air painting to studio work. On cold and windy days, Coppedge could be seen painting on a canvas lashed to a tree to keep it from blowing away. She is well-known for her winter snowscapes and vibrant river scenes.
Women in art had difficulty getting their work shown in galleries and exhibitions, so in response, Coppedge and a group of other female artists founded a group called “The Philadelphia Ten.” This group, which had up to 30 members at one time, shunned social norms by working and exhibiting together.
Today, Coppedge is considered a member of the Pennsylvania Impressionist School. She created approximately 1200 paintings during her lifetime; many are now housed in museums and private collections. She died in New Hope in 1951 at the age of 67.
ARTISTIC INSPIRATION TODAY
Bucks County continues to inspire many talented people. Painters, photographers, and sculptors all make their homes in our region. We are grateful to these artists, who often share their talents with us. And while we can’t make a note of them all, we took some time to speak with two working artists and Friends members, who love the canal and the artistic inspiration it provides.
Sue Ann Rainey
As Sue Ann will tell you, “I have to create every day.” This multi-faceted artist trained at The Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Graphic Arts and Photography.
During her career, Sue Ann worked as a graphic artist in publishing, owned a graphic design business, and taught evening school while raising her family. Then she decided to go back to school to become a pastry chef. She continued to paint while working as a pastry Chef for some well-known restaurants in the area.
Sue Ann is not a studio artist preferring the spontaneity of working directly from nature. When asked about her inspiration she says, “I’m drawn to the water. The canal and towpath have their own unique charms. The light filters through the trees and reflects on the water. There are so many different greens with blue sky peeking through the branches. For a person who paints outdoors, shade is also an important factor.”
Sue Ann wants to capture the river valley features and farmsteads that may not be here forever. Cuttalossa is a favorite spot, along with Stover Mill. The meandering creeks and river scenes inspire her creativity.
The Rainey family have been lifelong residents of Bucks County. She shared a charming memory of the Canal, the towpath, and her brother. When he was 15, her brother worked for the mule barge rides. He finished his shift around 1:00 in the morning and would walk the mules up the hill on Windy Bush Road to the farm where they were stabled. In the early morning hours, her mom would pick him up to bring him home.
Today, you can find Sue Ann’s works online at The Upstairs Gallery of Bucks County at theupstairsgallery.com.
Shirley Mersky
When asked what inspires her to paint a scene, Shirley says, “As a painter of light, I am particularly drawn to the canal and the river. The sparkling water and the reflections in the water inspire me. They create beautiful shapes and colors.”
A graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Shirley moved to this area nearly 40 years ago. She and her husband enjoyed the outdoors and began to hike in the area. “We’ve always been hikers and went to the canal early on.” Shirley and her husband also participated in many canal walks led by then Executive Director Susan Taylor. “I love the outdoors and the history of the canal. Just being there inspires me. The landscape is different all along the canal. I often paint in Yardley and Washington Crossing due to proximity, but I love Riegelsville and Raubsville. They are unique. The canal is different wherever you go.”
Shirley continued, “I also want to emphasize how important the preservation of the towpath and the canal is to me, and I am sure to the other artists who paint it. So much farmland has been lost. It is important that we preserve the towpath and canal in their natural state. They are priceless sources of inspiration.”
While she raised a family, Shirley continued to paint. However, for the last 20 years, she has been painting full-time. At PAFA, Shirley focused on portrait and still-life painting, but the lessons learned there translate to her current work.
Today Shirley works primarily in oil and is a plein air painter. She will also use reference photos to complete the artwork in her home studio. Shirley is a member of a plein-air painting group, but often works on her own, seeking out an ideal location and the perfect light. “There is a lot of talent in this area and a lot of camaraderie,” says Shirley, and she enjoys being a part of the Bucks County artist community. It is not surprising the beauty of our area is an inspiration to many.
You can view Shirley’s artwork at shirleymersky.com.
We know there are many talented members who use the canal and its surroundings for artistic inspiration. If you are a working artist and a member of the Friends of the Delaware Canal, please let us know. We would love to hear from you.
