MELVILLE F.  STARK
(1903 - 1987)
   Samuel S.Thorpe was a well known and highly collected local artist who kept an active studio in both Townsend, MA
and Kennebunkport, ME for many years.  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 "Easterns" -- 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.  

SAMUEL S. THORPE
(1933- 2005)

"QUIET IN WARREN VERMONT"
Oil on Canvas

Artwork: 10" x 12"
Framed: 14" x 18"

$300
960 Main Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
978-345-7000
SAMUEL S. THORPE
(1933 - 2005)