The Connecticut LimnerPortrays Words W·th PaintNatural pigments contribute to theinner light and brilliance evident inlong-time Milford artist's works.

by Denise morris CurtCommunity contributor

Wood is eternal, the healer and mosthuman of all materials. The substancewith a soul. When an article of wood is

damaged beyond repair it should take on a new formextending its life. Irreparable student instruments,for example, visually become musicians on thedestroyed piece. My Milford studio houses hundredsof instruments and panels.

I paint on antique and historic wood panels from New Englandhouses, ships and furniture, lovingly used in everyday life.Each panel is catalogued on the reverse side so that the historyis recorded and the article does not go unlamented.

The original patina is retained, but the panel takes on a newlife form to provide present and future generations with joyfulexuberance and enthusiasm.

Musical instruments of the past - silenced forever whenbroken, sing again with pure voices visually. The angel's wingsshimmer with particles of amethyst, emerald, and mica.

Angel Bower, my circa 1798 carriage house with stained

Art Angel is a 24·inch by 36-inch framed canvas by Milford artist Denisemorris Curt, whose middle name is "morris" with a lowercase "m,"Photos by Debra Aleksinas

14 July2013

glass windows, shelters a plethora of ancient materials used formaking my paints and varnishes. Illuminated manuscripts suchas "The Book of Hours," best demonstrates the inner light andeternal brilliance that natural pigments contribute using mineraland vegetable extracts. Manufactured salts such as lake pig-ments owe their color to vegetable or insect dyes.

Mica from Madison, garnets from RoxburyTempera pigment combined with milk curd, mineral

particles and jewel dust are absorbed into each archaic paneloffering the opportunity to breathe, since bees wax and com-bined amber resin finishes feed the wood allowing it to shrinkand swell.

Local materials used in my paintings include mica fromMadison, garnets from Roxbury, clay soil from Guilford, earthand tender grape vine shoots for ink from 41 Green Street.Other materials come from as far away as Florence, Italy, aswell as China, Korea, Russia and Poland.

The second floor of the Bower is filled with photographs ofenchanted refuges taken with the oldest lens known to man. Iuse imagination rather than numerous enhancers and always amaware of the light.

My 15th journey to France will be this year. Included in mycollection of wondrous sights and romantic escapes are: Spain,Portugal, Tangier, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Russia, Swit-zerland, Austria, Bavaria, Germany, Australia, New Zealand,Tahiti, Sulawesi, Bali, Lombok, Singapore, China, Korea,Japan, Tai Wan, Turkey, Italy, Canary Islands, Greece, Hun-gary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Haiti, Belgium, and the Nether-lands. Period costumes handed down for generations clothe the

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The artist's paintings appear to glow from within, the result of paintpigments infused with amethyst, emerald and mica, among othernatural materials. The ancient art form is called limning.

The second floor of Denise morris Curt's Milford studio, Angel Bower, is filled with old stringed instruments, no longer suitable for playing, but waitingto become a canvas for the artist's paintings. The 18th-century carriage house once served as the first cobbler shop in Southern Connecticut.Photo by Debra Aleksinas

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portrait sitters in the Gold Leafed Angel throne or surroundedby the ancient trees in the sculpture garden of Angel Bower.

About the artistI have directed Meet the Artists and Artisans since 1962

and present four nationally recognized art shows each year (seeschedule for upcoming shows, page 17).

The best way for people to realize what art is all about is tomeet the artists ...to see who is doing what, to find out what theend result is. It's a wonderful education for children. We loveto have children attend.

As a former commissioner of The Connecticut Commissionon the Arts, gallery director, Corporate Art Consultant and in-vestor, commercial interior designer, art juror and consultant tostatewide civic organizations, fashion designer, art and antiquerestorer, historian and lecturer, I am frequently interviewed ontelevision as the only American Limner using the jewel dust

41Green Street, Milford:The location ofDenisemorris Curt's AngelBower Studio.

16 July2013

technique.Though my subjects, designs, and techniques are quite

varied, the emotional statement in every painting clearly comesthrough - each bearing a subtle thread of similarity - unmistak-ably identifying it as my own expression of creativity aimed atthe human heart.

My works are in collections throughout Europe, SouthAmerica, and nearly every state in the U.S. Noted collectorsinclude: Leonard Bernstein, J. Paul Getty, Paul Mellon, BlancaOssorio Patino, Vincent Price, Billy Rose, J. D. Salinger and .Pamela 1. Hoiles.

Musical instruments, silenced foreverwhen broken, sing again with pure voicesvisually. The angel's wings shimmer withparticles of amethyst, emerald and mica.

About the processLimning, to portray words with paint, is an archaic art form

attributed to the 11th century European illuminators, learnedmonks and scribes, as well as the 17th and 18th century NewEngland Folk Artists.

Early American portrait limners worked in a two dimen-

For eight years, Denise morris Curt has been included in the Millenniumedition of Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World.Photo by Debra Aleksinas

sional style, not the more formal manner of the academic artist,emphasizing those features which most strongly expressedcharacter, aiming at realism, therefore achieving striking im-pact.

I paint on antique and historic wood panels from New Eng-land houses, ships and furniture, lovingly used in everyday life.Each panel is catalogued on the reverse side so that the historyis recorded and the article does not go unlamented. The originalpatina is retained, but the panel takes on a new life form toprovide present and future generations with joyful exuberanceand enthusiasm.

Guild and ancestor portraits are likenesses of those you cher-ish in period costume, depicting profession, expression, or justa grand escape to a more gracious and flamboyant era. Com-missions are painted from a photo on your heirloom panel or onan item from my vast collection of stilled stringed instrumentsand antique wood.

To know more about Denise morris Curt, or Meet the Art-ists and Artisans, call 203-874-5672. Angel Bower Gallery islocated at 41 Green St., Milford.

Outdoor ArtFestivalsThe Connecticut Limner invites you toattend the upcoming summer artfests slated for Guilford and Mystic.

THE SUMMER SCHEDULE:There are plenty of opportunities left to attend one ormore of the 2013 Outdoor Art Festivals planned in Con-necticut. Here is the line-up:July 18-21 The Guilford Green 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thurs-day through Saturday; Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Guilford ArtLeague. Directions: 1-95,exit 58July 27-28 Mystic, Olde Mistick Village 40th Meet theArtists and Artisans summer show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Direc-tions: 1-95 exit 90Aug. 10-11 Mystic Outdoor Art Fest 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Directions: 38E. Main St.under the copper beech tree.Aug. 31, Sept 1-2 Mystic, Olde Mistick Village 40thLabor Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday 1O'a.rn, to 6 p.m.;Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Directions: 1-95,exit 90Meet the Artists and Artisans shows are directed by Denisemorris Curt. All shows held rain or shine, free admission.

Angel Bower Studio, 41 Green St., Milford, open byappt.203-874-5672; email-denisemorriscurt@ctlimner.com;info@meettheartistsandartisans.com;denisemorriscurt.com; ctlimner.com; meettheartistsandartisans.com

Denise morris Curt's Angel Bower Studio is located at 41 Green St.,Milford. For more information visit meettheartistsandartisans.com.Photo by Debra Aleksinas