ARTIST / FUNDRAISING PARTNER: Dan Campanelli BLUE SKIES 300th Fundraiser: Watercolor Print of Historic County Courthouse ART IN THE COUNTRY FUNDRAISER: Special Selection Art Sale - Dan Campanelli Watercolors and Fine Prints November 16, 2013 "TOUR" OF HUNTERDON'S RURAL HERITAGE THORUGH THE ART OF DAN CAMPANELLI with Dan and Marty Campanelli September 20, 2015 Download flyer Dan has been a recognized artist for forty years. Prints of his watercolor paintings have been published by the largest and oldest publisher of fine art in America, The New York Graphic Society. His first published print in 1986 won recognition as the top-selling print in America for almost five years. Dozens of his prints are available worldwide and depict old gristmills and historic sites in the Delaware Valley and beyond. He has won over one hundred art awards and honors, including several national gold medals. Dan has been listed in numerous Who's Who publications over the years and his original paintings are well represented in public, corporate and private collections throughout the U.S. Dan's work was selected for the Smithsonian Institution's Traveling Exhibition from 1977-1979 and was shown at important museums and galleries across the country. The images that Dan depicts in his paintings are not unlike the restored stone home in the Delaware Valley that he shares with his wife, Marty. Local mills, important places from the Revolutionary War, and venerable old stone buildings find their way into his watercolors. The Campanellis moved from Warren County to Hunterdon in 2005, and their own historic home, on the National Register, has been depicted many times by Dan. Their circa 1765 stone home was also featured in the June 2008 issue of Early American Life. The character of old architecture speak volumes to Dan. He looks for what nature and time have done to early buildings: such as how an old stately sycamore tree can envelope a stone mill, how snow creates strong contrasts, or how dramatic light can alter shadows. Dan most often paints on location, from life, and interprets what he sees. He omits symbols of our modern age, but leaves in enough character of the buildings that have been altered over the centuries, to create a unique work of art. He spends an average of two months on each painting. The original water-colors and prints of his work can be found in fine art galleries. He and his wife live amongst antiques of the colonial period in their home, and their daily life revolves around their Shetland sheep, heirloom bantom chickens, extensive gardens, and old-time activities. They grow, preserve and root cellar vegetables and fruits from their farm. The Campanellis watch no television (except vintage movies on DVD), nor do they surf the 'net from home. Instead, they can often be found playing Scrabble in front of the hearth or studying books on antiques by the glow of candlelight. Dan feels that living this lifestyle helps his creative process and makes for better paintings. The couple's interest in local history has recently led them to co-author an Images of America history book with their township historian, which was released early in 2010. And, in 2011 they authored a book about to history of the Quakertown Friends Meeting. In spring 2013 they will release a full-color book about Hunterdon County needlework samplers for the Hunterdon County Historical Society.