Penn's Woods Painters

 

Sevice In & Around
Our Nation's Capital

 

Members of the Society of Decorative Painters and Penn’s Woods Painters have contributed to a number of holiday trees at the White House and other institutions in Washington, D.C.

Hilary Clinton chose the theme, The Twelve Days of Christmas, for the 1994 White House. Wooden ornaments, created and designed by members of the Society of Decorative Painters, including members of Penn’s Woods Painters, were hung throughout – wreaths at the public entrance, on trees on either side of a large fireplace in the Diplomatic Reception Room, and on the tree in the Oval Office. In fact, Mrs. Clinton liked the Christmas tree skirt painted by SDP member Donna Bryant Waterson and the tree topped painted by SDP member Juliet Mating so much that se used them on the tree in the Clinton’s private living quarters.

In 1995 Mrs. (Tipper) Gore started a tradition for the “Admiral’s House,” the official residence of the Vice President of the United States -- a collection of new and antique Christmas ornaments and decorations. The Society of Decorative Painters donated more than 800 ornaments for the trees in the house, including tin and wooden American flags and Uncle Sam’s. These ornaments are now part of the permanent collection that the Gores have created for future residents.

In 1998 the Society of Decorative Painters were asked to work with the Knitting Guild of America to decorate the Christmas tree for the White House Blue Room.& Members of Penn’s Woods Painters joined artists from throughout the United States to carry out the Winter Wonderland theme chosen by Mrs. Clinton. Knitted mittens and hats, snowmen and lots of hand painted ornaments depicting skis, snow shoes, sleds, skates and other functional items found in snow scenes adorned the tree.

Members of Penn’s Woods Painters again joined with the Society of Decorative Painters when they were asked to decorate the 2004 White House Christmas tree for Laura Bush. Mrs. Bush’s theme was “A Season of Merriment and Melody.” Combining the magic of the holidays with the popular songs of the season, the theme celebrated melodies that have brought joy to Americans for generations. Vignettes of holiday songs including Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells were displayed on mantels and pier tables throughout the White House, while more than 41 flocked trees created a winter wonderland on the State Floor. The tree displayed in the Blue Room was decorated with 350 musical instrument ornaments painted by the members of the Society. Every state had a painter represented on the tree. The highlight of the holidays was when PWP members joined their fellow SDP artists at a special White House reception hosted by Mrs. Bush.

 

 

In 2005 the Library of Congress invited SDP members to join its holiday celebration by painting wooden book ornaments depicting their home states. The 300 + ornaments from every state were displayed on a magnificent tree in the Great Hall of the Jefferson Building. Members of Penn’s Woods Painters joined other contributing artists, families and friends in the holiday festivities with storytelling by Dr. James Billington, the Librarian of Congress. Songs with the LOC Chorale and a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

  

In 2009 the Society partnered with the Smithsonian Institute to paint 500 ornaments for the Renwick Gallery tree in Washington, D.C.Artists were required to follow the gallery’s requirements that the creation be inspired by a painting in the Renwick’s permanent collection. Once again, members of Penn’s Woods Painters had their ornaments displayed on the tree.

Each member interpreted the painting they selected in different ways as follows: Diane Duncan based her ornament on an oil on canvas of Agnes Elizabeth Claflin, a young lady in period clothes painted in the country, by William Morrison Hunt in 1873.  Debra Kreiger used the painting by William H. Howe, "Monarch of the Farm,” as inspiration for her ornament and incorporated some Holiday cheer. Jackie Nowak painted two ornaments. The first ornament was based on Irving R. Wiles' "Brown Kimono,” 1909, portrait of Kathryn Beta la Forque, in a flowered kimono, standing by a vase of flowers. Her teasing eyes fascinated Jackie as she tilted her head, looking at the artist. She concentrated on her face alone, looking down at flowers she held, similar to those in the kimono fabric.“Gloucester Harbor,” a pier in soft cool shades by Guy Wiggins in 1914, was the basis for her second ornament. This ornament was of the pier in bright sunlight, full of colors, as it is today. Sheila Rouse also painted two ornaments. The first was a poppy inspired by “Plenty,” a 1910 oil on canvas by Kenyon Cox. A poppy is in the hair of the woman in the painting. Her second one was inspired by “November,” by Dwight W. Tryon, 1904-1905. This ornament was a collection of leaves, which may have been found under the trees depicted in the original painting. Dottie Shultz was also inspired by William H. Howe's painting "Monarch of the Farm" which showed a cow lying in a barn. The ornament she painted showed the cow with a manger and the baby Jesus in front of it with starlight shining through an opening at the back of the barn. Mary Newby chose an original oil painting entitled, “A North Woods Lake,” which was painted by Homer Dodge Martin in 1867 as a fall landscape. She chose to paint it as a winter landscape. Mary Newby stands in front of the Christmas tree in the Renwick Grand Salon pointing to her ornament in the picture above. Jane Allen’s ornament, which features various sea shells which may have been found on the sea shore, was inspired by “The Seaweed Gatherers” by Howard Russell Baker, circa 1886. Linda Sutphin interpreted Abbott Handerson Thayer's "Tiger's Head", circa 1874, painting on her ornament. Deb Cornman, Nancy Capuano, Megan Capuano and Marianna Touloumous, all of Carlisle, were also contributors.