PUTNEY — The Putney Public Library, 55 Main St., invites everyone to view oil paintings on paper by Susan McDormand, now on exhibit through Dec. 28 during library hours and special events, free and open to the public.
In a news release, McDormand said her interest in oil painting began about 20 years ago when she took classes at the River Gallery School in Brattleboro. Both Ric Campman, one of the founders of the school, and Lydia Thomson encouraged her to continue. She said she owes her love of painting to this beginning in a supportive place with an open environment, which has brought her years of exploration and discovery.
The paintings are a bright and spacious reading of abstracted fruits, either in groupings or simply by twos, which have a quiet meditative quality. McDormand remembers the title of a book by philosopher Mircea Eliade, The Two & the One, which inspired this series of paintings.
“Painting became for me an interpretation and expression of how I perceive myself and my surroundings. I go to the easel when times are both difficult and joyous,” McDormand said. “My studio has always been where I live. Any time of day I can study or alter what a painting is saying. Painting is contemplative.”
McDormand lived for many years in Putney and has now moved to Guilford. Her work has been shown at The Gleanery and Antidote Books in Putney. She had a previous show at the Putney Public Library.