My favorite new park of 2018: Weir Farm National Historic Site is located in Connecticut. This is currently the only NPS site in Connecticut but there is one more slated to open “sometime,” the Colt Firearms complex. Weir Farm is one of two parks set aside to honor visual arts. J. Alden Weir was an American impressionist painter who initially disliked impressionism when he first viewed works in Paris. He not only embraced the genre he was the first and foremost of the American impressionists. He also hosted many other painters on the farm for short or long stays including John Singer Sargent, The farm (originally bought for $10 and a painting) is about 60 acres of the initial 158. But there are 16 buildings, a pond, trails, woods, meadows and stone walls lacing the property.
I am not sure why I was so struck with the site. The light, the contrast of the woods, fields and walls, the interesting tour - extra engaged and helpful rangers, maybe all of them together but I simply fell in love with this small, hard to get to park. I hope to go back and spend time making photographs instead of just a quick shoot.
“The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy.
The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain.
They all shout and sing for joy! “ Psalm 65:12,13 NLT
The Studio
