Cape Cod Light by Chris Smeraldi

12 x 16

Introduced to The Cape School of Art by a friend, my next journey began in September 2012 and has continued since. I had recently retired from a maritime career that began with fishing vessels on the East coast, later in Alaska, and finally as a Captain operating tugboats in New York Harbor. With a lifelong love of art and painting from a childhood of foreign travel and admiration for the work of Monet, Sorolla and other notable Impressionists, I turned to painting as a natural next step.

Initially, I had the good fortune to be introduced to Hilda Neily at The Cape School of Art in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Before the end of my first class with Hilda, I was completely taken by the school’s impressionistic creation of light using warm and cool planes of color. I studied, monitored and assisted teaching in Hilda’s classes over the next ten years. She is my mentor and has greatly influenced and inspired my own process of learning to see and paint color in light. In addition, I continue to learn from other teachers at the school including John Clayton, Glenna Hartwell, Cedric Egeli and Joanette Egeli, all of whom carry on the legacy of Charles Hawthorne and Henry Hensche.
Drawing from my life experience at sea, my current residence on the island of Jamestown, RI and my frequent travels to the Outer Cape for painting and classes provides the inspiration for my work of seascapes and landscapes.

In Provincetown, I have exhibited at Provincetown Art Association Museum,
Fine Arts Work Center and Cape School of Art Open Studio. I also participate in the The Cape School of Art Annual Auction.
In Rhode Island, I am a member of the Conanicut Island Art Association, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, the Jamestown Art Center and the Jamestown Alliance for Artists Sustainability.

My most recent Spring exhibit of 2021 was at the Conanicut Island Art Association’s Gallery as the featured artist for two months.
Painting allows the artist to take part in the color, light and beauty of nature and to share it with others, bringing out what may otherwise remain unseen

This is what has always motivated my painting and my efforts to help teach it to others. Impressionistic painting is a learning experience that is never finished, a journey that lasts a lifetime. I look forward to the shared experience of progressing in the seeing and appreciation of light and color.