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Painting En Plein Air The Pleasures And Perils

A Unique Boutique Sharp Design, Tailored Fine

The Girl On The Land Story of Women’s Land Army

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• August 5, 2010 •

Small collections in a diversity of styles makes Catherine H a true boutique. — Gus Cantavero photos

CATHERINE H ... A UNIQUE BOUTIQUE

Distinctive design, tailored fine by Robin E. Glowa The perfect outfit can make a woman feel like a princess, a opened her business in Milford. “I am having such power broker, a fun, flirty vision of femininity or captivatingly fun,” she says with a captivating smile. “I am so excited to have my own store where I get to sell what and comfortably chic. my clientele wants.” But how does one pull off the perfect look if there are no stellar selections to be found in the closet? If you’re lamenting the Her greatest pleasure is to find just the right lack of interesting outfits that make you look and feel fabu- clothing. “I do all my homework,” she says, lous, perhaps it’s time to inject new life into your lackluster searching for the perfect items from designers here in the United States, as well as in apparel. Australia, Spain, France and Italy. Shopping for attire that is distinctive and diverse can be quite challenging. When you are seeking garments that are fashion- Catherine, who grew up in Europe, came forward, cutting-edge and unique to reflect all aspects of your to the United States 28 years ago to learn English. Influenced by personality, you need a special shopping experience. her European upbringing and Catherine H, a marvelous boutique in Milford, is the perfect a wonderfully stylish mother, place to replenish a wilted wardrobe. This little gem of a shop Catherine developed a highly features gorgeous clothing and accessories. The warm and critical eye and appreciation of gracious owner, Catherine Hiriat Kubic, has assembled a dis- all things exquisitely crafted. tinctive collection of beautifully designed, exquisitely detailed A deep love of beauty and respect for the natural clothing with a decidedly different flair. world has Catherine As Catherine welcomes you into her shop, you instantly feel seeking out designher joy and enthusiasm. Guiding you through the store, she ers who are not only gently suggests which lovely garments you might like to try tremendously talon, and you know you are in the hands of someone who ented but who truly cares about how you will look and feel in the clothes. In are eco-conscious Catherine’s capable hands you will experience the wonder of as well. working with your own wardrobe stylist. “I think it’s so After working in boutiques and dressing store windows from important to have New York City to New Haven, Catherine is ecstatic to have clothing in the shop

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that utilizes natural fibers and is organic. There are not enough organic lines yet, but this is changing. One of the lines I offer is Stewart & Brown, made right here in Connecticut. They use only organic wool and natural dyes for their clothes. It’s amazing — there is no itching from this organic wool. I have always been allergic to wool, but not with this line.” Catherine continues, saying, “I also carry Raw Earth Wild Sky; this is a line of organic cotton clothing made in Los Angeles by 12 women designers. What’s wonderful about their line is the relaxed, casual look, with a lot of elegance. I just love this line, so feminine and hugs the curves in all the right places.” Catherine passionately pursues designs for her boutique that are well-made. “I try to find designers who design and tailor well. I research online and go to all the shows, so I get to know the designers. I am offering both casual and dressy clothing for women up to size 22, and I absolutely insist on the best-fitting designs possible. I would rather not sell something than have it not look absolutely right,” Catherine says emphatically. “I am looking for the pieces that will make each woman look and feel wonderful. A lot of clothes are made that people can fit into but do not necessarily perfectly enhance the body. I offer clothing that makes my clients say, ‘This

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Special Section to: The Valley Gazette • The Stratford Star • The Milford Mirror The Amity Observer • The Trumbull Times • Fairﬁeld Sun The Huntington Herald • The Monroe Courier • The Easton Courier

AUGUST 2010

VOL IV, ISSUE 8

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• August 5, 2010 •

is different; this is really me,’ which is so exciting for them and for me,” she says.

THE PLEASURES AND PERILS OF PAINTING

En plein air

“When I do the buying,” Catherine says, “I have to fall in love with it. No one can talk me into it! I only buy a little bit of everything, so you won’t see the same clothes on everyone!” With her discerning eye for detail, Catherine has filled her boutique with breathtaking outfits that are both classic and ultra-modern. An ecru leather motorcycle jacket is edgy and romantic; a black-lace trench coat is ultra feminine and completely one of a kind; a shimmering silk dress constructed of layer upon layer of pewter metallic ruffles is super sexy and, believe it or not, hand-washable! There are dresses and tops in such luscious, lively shades as turquoise, coral and chartreuse. Catherine also offers fabulous accessories, such as buttery soft leather belts crafted in Canada; amazing handbags, like the one in bright, cherry red suede, embellished with silver studs and silverbeaded fringe; sleek, handmade leather totes; huge, chunky rings; bold cuff bracelets and stunning necklaces dripping with unusual charms and semiprecious stones.

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by Joanne Greco Rochman “Painting en plein air is about immersing yourself in the moment,” said artist Jane Zisk. She had been painting outdoors by herself for years until one day an unruly gentleman became bothersome. She loved to paint en plein air (in the open air — outdoors), but she thought it would be better if she didn’t paint outdoors alone anymore, especially since she preferred to paint in rather remote locations. She sent a letter to an arts organization asking it to post the time and date of her next “paint out,” and welcomed other plein air artists to join her.

From blue jeans to cocktail dresses, handbags to hoodies, you will find a sublime collection of style at Catherine H.

“When I arrived, no one was there; I was very disappointed. I decided to get a cup of coffee before setting up my easel. To my surprise, when I returned, other artists were already busy painting. By the end of the day, there were 20 of us,” said Jane, who founded the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society on that fateful day in 1995. Since then, the small group has grown to 100 members who meet once a month to paint together. “The organization offers camaraderie, artistic support and safety,” she said.

Catherine H. is at 19 River Street in Milford; 203-783-3037; Web, catherineh. com. Hours: Closed Mon., Tues.-Sat. 11 to 5:30, Thurs. 11-7:30; Sun. 12-4. Available for private showings by appointment.

“Plein-air painting is exciting and challenging because you are so close to nature, and you have to work fast to capture on canvas the whole experience,” she explained. “It’s wonderful. It’s the air you breathe, the wind

A painting at the Hubbell House in Easton, Jill Harrington Nichols.

that blows over your easel,” she added, laughing. While the joys of painting outdoors are many, she also mentioned some of the perils, such as suddenly discovering you’re standing in poison ivy, or “watching a big,

fat bumblebee land on your canvas right on your Hansa-yellow flower.” While her best work is done en plein air, she did say that she will on occasion do some tweaking when she returns to her studio.

En Plein continued on page 5

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• August 5, 2010 •

STORY OF THE WOMEN’S LAND ARMY OF AMERICA

Girl on the land serves the nation’s need by Lois Alcosser “It’s a hard job to plant potatoes, It’s a darn sight worse to hoe; It’s a hard job to weed tomatoes, When the pesky things do grow. Farewell to all the bright lights, Good-bye, old Broadway We are all out here to serve our country, And you bet we’ll stay!” (To the tune of “Tipperary”) This is just one of the songs that circulated to celebrate the Women’s Land Army of America (WLA). There were 20,000 women across the country, 400 in Connecticut, who left their homes and families to replace the farmers who went to war in 1917. alls and straw hat, “The Girl with the Hoe, It’s all documented in Fruits of Victory by behind the Man with the Gun.” Elaine Weiss, who consulted hundreds of sources to research the subject, with special “The history had been forgotten,” Ms. Weiss thanks to the Wilton Library. says. “I didn’t know about it until I met Alice Holway in Vermont, a former farmerette, She found long-lost posters issued to recruit who was still working the land at age 80. She “farmerettes.” One showed a woman in over-

regaled me with stories and was very proud of In Connecticut, the tobacco issue became a having done her bit in service to the country. problem. The WLA was supposed to provide essential foodstuffs to nourish the troops and “With that as an incentive, I had a grand stave off famine. But tobacco? “I need smokes adventure in archival archeology because the more than anything else,” claimed a poster history of the WLA was scattered and buried of a soldier. After much controversy, it was for nearly nine decades. It wasn’t a govern- decided that if tobacco helped the troops ment organization; it was privately funded relax, it was an essential crop. and privately run.” Two Connecticut women who ran the state’s In 1917, one of the big questions was, “How WLA were Corinne Alsop (mother of the are we going to feed everyone?” There were future journalists Stewart and Joseph) and slogans: “The fate of the nation depends on Grace Knight Schenck, both of Wilton. Grace Schenck was a natural-born organizer. Three food,” and “Food will win the war!” months after arriving in Wilton, she initiated But where was the labor? Women could be the first women’s suffrage meeting at Town the answer. It would be hard work, learning to Hall, launched the Women’s Suffrage League drive a tractor, hoeing, weeding and harvest- and an Equal Franchise branch. Women were ing all day. But women responded. Students, working the farms, but they still couldn’t factory workers, teachers, office workers, rich vote. and poor. There was a two-week training WLA uniforms varied in different states. Some period with strict rules. wore overalls, some wore skirts or belted A Connecticut farmerette wrote in her diary: smocks covering their overalls. Sunhats were “Was told to bring low-heeled shoes, overalls, a necessity. In 1917, overalls for women middy blouses or men’s soft shirts, rain gear, were outrageous. Women driving tractors? bedding, towels and a lunch box. No jewelry Impossible! But those objections soon faded or good clothes. Day starts at 5:45 a.m., put away and so did stereotypes. on my working togs and learn how to hoe Ultimately, the objectors, the groups that tobacco.” feared male farmers were being replaced, changed their minds. Poems, songs, draw-

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En Plein continued from page 3

ings, cartoons flourished. Farmerettes sang while they worked, despite heat waves, aching muscles and $15 monthly wages. (The going farm rate was 25 cents an hour.) The WLA was considered an example of democracy in action.

Jill Harrington Nichols of Shelton is a member of the society. She, too, had gone out on her own to paint for years but thought that she would enjoy the company of painting with other artists. An energetic and fast study, Jill is best known for her paintings that depict the beauty of New England. An award-winning painter, she likes to capture light and atmosphere in her paintings. Her favorite subjects include seascapes, landscapes, florals and still-life studies.

With the end of World War I and a lack of funding, the WLA disbanded. The women who’d been active leaders turned their attention to the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Before World War II, Eleanor Roosevelt championed the idea of reviving the WLA, and, in 1943, it became a branch of the United States Crop Corps, which was recruiting volunteers for emergency farm work.

“My painting is poetry, a lyrical composition of color and light. When I am painting, I am in the moment, thoroughly present and enraptured. I experience a sense of peace, as well as an urgency to capture and share the moment,” she said. Jill developed her keen sense of design during her 30 years as a commercial artist. She trained at the Art Students League in New York City and with such prominent artists as Charles Reid and Jerry Weiss.

Among the historic pictures Ms. Weiss found is one showing two generations of a farmerette family: a mother wearing her breeches, puttees and belted smock uniform from World War I and her daughter in one-piece denim overalls, no longer shocking attire, from the Crop Corps of World War II. Fruits of Victory may be purchased at Barnes & Noble or ordered at your local bookstore. It’s available on the Web at fruitsofvictory.com or at Amazon.com.

She is especially proud of completing two paintings in one day. “One painting is simply named after its location, “Lobster Cover.”

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enjoyed it so much they want to do it on a regular basis. She recalled someone telling her that catching the essence of a moment is like being in a state of grace. “Painters’ greatest paintings are like that. They’re in a state of grace,” she said.

She describes her experience as only a plein air artist can. She considers the experience her “Monhegan manic” moment. “I was carrying a Jullian half easel in one hand and a large boat bag filled with my box of paints, mineral spirits, rags and paper towels in the other. A large, floppy hat covered my head to protect my eyes and skin. All this is standard equipment for many plein air painters. My wet painting from moments before fit nicely in the lid of my paint box.

Jill will often start by doing a charcoal sketch, quick strokes to indicate the bright areas and dark areas. One of her paintings, “Daymarks,” was painted on a hazy day, with low contrast but lots of atmosphere. “I started my painting by putting in my darks, which are very few and not very dark. Then I used colors of equal value to create the water. I allowed the warm red undertone to come through, which gives the impression of a warm day, which indeed it was,” she said. She also pointed out that the light changes every 20 minutes, so it is important to paint fast.

“In the first painting I can feel the rush of wind and surf as I paint, and I am swept up in a moment of pure excitement,” she continued. “The second location is much quieter; I am out of the wind and can pause now and again to appreciate a passing butterfly in the wildflowers growing from the rugged earth. A plein air painter must be careful not to paint too long in the same spot because the landscape actually transforms as the sun travels through the sky.”

The Easton group meets at the Hubbell House in Easton, where they gather to paint en plein air.

One day, while Jill was browsing the Internet, she came upon the Easton Arts Council. Once she became familiar with the members, she introduced them to plein air painting, and 25 of them showed up last month for a paint-out. According to Jill, they

For more information and a schedule of future paint-outs, visit the Web site, eastonartscouncil.org. For information on the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society, visit cpaps.org.

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Bethel Garden Fair

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Come join the fun at Bethel’s Eighth Annual Gardening Fair, Sunday, Aug. 15, from 12:30 to 5. The theme of this year’s fair is Edibles, and the array of gardening activities is sure to please everyone.

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Presentations by gardening experts will include: Edible Landscaping, Vegetables Contained, Vegetables that Grow Above the Soil and Vegetables that Grow in the Soil. Information booths will cover a variety of topics — vegetables, invasives, turf care, ferns, power tools for gardeners and lowtoxic gardening approaches. Master gardeners will answer your gardening questions and offer free pH testing of soil samples.

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HOME I OF THE I MONTH ■

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