Contrasting Visions and Shared Landscape at Pine Hill Morton Library

By Robert Brune

On a bright spring afternoon in Pine Hill, the grounds of the Morton Memorial Library came alive with the colors of cherry blossoms and the quiet energy of an engaged arts community. Inside the historic stone building, a full room gathered for the latest installment of the library’s “Art of…” series, this time featuring painters Patrice Lorenz and Deborah Ruggerio. Sandra Gambetti guided the afternoon, introducing both the artists and the intention behind the series, which aims to explore creative disciplines through conversation and reflection.

Gambetti framed the discussion around a central curiosity. How can two artists, both focused on landscape painting, produce work that feels so distinct in tone, technique, and emotional impact. That question became the thread that wove through the afternoon as Lorenz and Ruggerio shared their processes, influences, and philosophies.

Lorenz began by reflecting on her unconventional path into painting. With a background in printmaking rather than formal painting instruction, she described developing her style through intuition and experience. Her work, she explained, is rooted less in representation and more in emotional resonance. “I’m less concerned about what’s recognizable,” she said, “and more about the feeling I had being in that place.”

Her approach often blends observation with invention. While she works outdoors at times, she also relies on memory and photography, allowing scenes to evolve into imagined landscapes guided by her understanding of light, form, and movement. One example she discussed involved two paintings of the same subject, created at different times of day. Though rooted in the same location, each piece carried a distinct mood, revealing how perception shapes interpretation.

Lorenz also spoke about her process as one of constant revision. Paint is layered, scraped away, and reworked until the surface begins to reflect the sensation she is trying to capture. In one piece inspired by the writings of naturalist John Burroughs, she described repeatedly building and removing paint to create a sense of water and reflection. The final composition combined abstract elements with more recognizable imagery, allowing both to exist in tension on the same surface.

In contrast, Ruggerio described her work as grounded in realism and observation. Her goal, she explained, is to capture fleeting moments in time, particularly those shaped by changing weather and light. “I feel like this moment is never going to come back,” she said. “I just want to capture it.”

Her paintings often emphasize structure, with careful attention to foreground, middle ground, and background to create depth. She also highlighted her focus on detail, whether in the texture of tree bark or the shifting colors of a sunset. Ruggerio frequently works from photographs she takes while traveling through the region, sometimes stopping mid-drive to document a scene before it disappears.

Color plays a central role in her process. She noted that her palette has become a defining feature of her work, developed through years of careful mixing rather than using pigments straight from the tube. This deliberate approach results in the earthy, natural tones that viewers have come to recognize as her signature style.

Despite their differences, both artists share a deep connection to the Catskills landscape. Each spoke about how moving to the region influenced their artistic direction. For Ruggerio, the scenery inspired her shift toward landscape painting, driven by a desire to preserve the beauty around her. For Lorenz, the environment became a space for exploration, where the landscape serves as both subject and stage for broader ideas.

The conversation also touched on artistic influences. Audience members noted echoes of Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet in Lorenz’s use of light and abstraction, while Ruggerio’s work was compared to traditions of Hudson River School landscapes. Both artists acknowledged the impact of art history on their development, even when those influences are not immediately visible.

During the question and answer portion, attendees engaged directly with the artists, asking about technique, process, and artistic evolution. One question explored how each artist begins a painting. Ruggerio described starting with a loose structural outline before building the composition, while Lorenz admitted she often begins more spontaneously, allowing the work to guide her direction.

Another discussion focused on artistic identity. Ruggerio noted that her consistent palette makes her work easily recognizable, while Lorenz experiences the opposite, with viewers often surprised to learn a piece is hers. This contrast underscored the broader theme of the event: that artistic expression can take many forms, even when rooted in the same subject.

As the afternoon concluded, it became clear that the strength of the program lay not only in showcasing individual talent but in creating dialogue. The exchange between Lorenz, Ruggerio, and the audience offered insight into the many ways artists interpret the world around them.

The “Art of…” series continues to serve as a meaningful platform for connecting the community with creative voices. In Pine Hill, surrounded by the very landscapes that inspire such work, the conversation felt especially fitting.

As the evening came to a close, there was a clear sense that the momentum of arts and culture in our region continues to build, one gathering at a time. That spirit carries directly into next weekend with another opportunity for the community to come together.

On Saturday, May 9 at 3 pm, Morton Memorial Library will host The Art of Banjo, a live performance featuring David Bernz. Bernz, a folk musician, author, and two-time Grammy-winning producer, brings a deep well of experience rooted in American folk tradition. His book Chopping Wood reflects on his upbringing alongside Pete Seeger, a relationship that later grew into a creative partnership as Bernz produced both Seeger’s music and spoken word recordings.