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Samuel S. Thorpe was a well known and highly collected New England artist. He was born in Stoneham, NH
and grew up in Reading and Wilmington. He produced his first painting by age 9 or 10 and very early on in his life
began having exhibits at his home where he first began to sell his artwork. In 1959 Sam moved to Townsend, MA
a move that offered him more space and fresh ideas. In 1970 he started building his own art studio next to his
home, and in 1971 took a leap of faith when he decided to leave his job and paint full-time.
Sam kept active studios in both Townsend, MA and Kennebunkport, ME for many years and became a quite well
known character in both communities. Although Sam studied with various professional artists, as well as having
attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, he never lost sight of his own particular style.
He believes that time and practice over his lifetime have been his best teachers.
Sam Thorpe is best known for his classic New England scenes which include maple sugar houses, New England
villages and town commons, Maine water fronts and fishing shacks, ice cutting scenes, old stream sawmills, and
seasonal New England landscapes and activities. He painted New England. His favorite subjects were action scenes
of ice harvesting, maple sugaring, saw mills and logging -- called "Eastern's" -- that preserved on canvas a way of
life that has all but disappeared.
He delivers his art to the viewer through a method known as atmospheric painting. He creates a feeling of light
and air which when exposed to natural daylight responds dramatically, allowing shadows to glow luminously and
light struck areas to vibrate with color. He uses the elements of light, shadow, color and composition to create a
certain mood or feeling to his paintings. As a painter who worked primarily in oils, the texture and vibrant colors
of this medium easily led to compositions of this type.
Sam has exhibited in countless group, one, and two man shows throughout the entire northeast. Many
individuals, professionals, and corporations have purchased substantial collections of his work including President
George H. Bush who purchased a Maine landscape that still hangs in his Kennebunkport home. Art collectors
continue to seek out his work to this day. Each painting that comes off Sam’s easel is totally singular in its
composition. In order to trace his work Sam assigns a registration number to each painting. This number, along
with all pertinent information necessary to identify the painting is kept on permanent file.
Sam Thorpe has held membership in the Copley Society of Boston, the Rutland Area Art Association, Chaffee Art
Center, Southern Vermont Art Association, the Salmagundi Club, The Artists Guild of Kennebunk’s, the New Haven
Paint and Palette Club, and is listed in the Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.
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SAMUEL S. THORPE
(1933- 2005)
"SUGAR SEASON IN NEW
ENGLAND"
Oil on Canvas
Artwork: 18" x 26"
Framed: 24" x 32"
$950
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