BRANDON — A new exhibit, “A Sense of Place,” by Ruth Hamilton, is now on display at Brandon Music through June 8. Her passion and deep connection to the natural world is reflected in this series of paintings, showing an appreciation for the sustenance and beauty of it, but also a disturbing sense of just how precarious that world is.
Hamilton has had a fascinating career: running a ski lodge with her parents as a kid; as a dairy farmer with her first husband; working as a RN in prisons, as a trauma nurse in NYC, and more recently as an RN at Castleton State College where she received her nursing degree; immersing herself into the New York City art scene; and traveling across the country in a pickup truck studying ethnic, indigenous and outsider art and cultures. Creating art though it all, Hamilton returned to Vermont 13 years ago, answering a call to the land she couldn’t ignore. She maintains a home and studio in Poultney. ?
“The process of making art is the way I feel at peace, fully in my own skin,” said Hamilton. “It is kind of like being born and seeing the world around me for the first time and being awed. Plus it is just plain fun; a playful and engaging way to live.” ?
Hamilton created another series of works recently, featuring some of her favorite faces; however, this series is a completely different subject than the wildlife and landscapes shown in “A Sense of Place.” A fan of British comedies, Hamilton turned her painting skills to a series of portraits depicting many of her favorite “Britcom” characters. Many will recognize Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean, Judi Dench as Jean Pargetter, Patricia Routledge as Hyacinth Bucket, and Frank Thornton as Capt. Stephen Peacock.
The paintings were donated to the nonprofit Compass Music and Arts Foundation, of which Hamilton serves as chair. The foundation has since teamed up with Vermont Public Television’s (VPT) Britcom Club to auction off the paintings at English tea events each April. At these teas, members help choose which British comedies VPT airs. Brandon Music, one of seven venues holding a tea event this year, hosted the private function on April 17. The proceeds from the auction were split between VPT and the foundation, which in turn supports the new Compass Music and Arts Center in Brandon. Note cards of the paintings are also available to help support the Foundation and Arts Center. They are available for sale online at www.cmacvt.org
Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Road, Brandon. It is open Wednesday through Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information call 802-465-4071 or visit www.brandon-music.net.
Compass Music and Arts Center is located at 333 Jones Drive (within Park Village), Brandon. It is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn more at 802-247-4295 or www.cmacvt.org.