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hemistry. It’s not just test tubes, beakers, and Bunsen burners; it’s a feeling of connection.
It’s what happens when you’ve had that first sip of a well-balanced wine.
When you take a deep, fresh cleansing breath of air heralding the joy of the outdoors.
It happens when you engage with people who know what they’re doing and can’t wait to welcome you in.
Now, add some friends, music, a bit of food, plenty of laughter and good conversation, and you have…
Stonington Vineyards. A place to explore. A place to play. A place to just kick back for a few hours away from the rest of the world and enjoy. All dedicated to good chemistry and that glorious sense of connection.
And why not? The owner, Ann Houston, has spent her entire life as a scientist plunged headlong into a world of chemistry. Her laboratory is no longer a pristine theater of experimentation marked with hushed tones and white-clothed associates, but a vibrant, lively, pastoral setting where every day she can have the joy of meeting new people who quickly become friends, share a sip, a glass, or a flight of memorable wine, and relish the view from every window, patio, and door.
“I grew up in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and from the very first, I always wanted to be a scientist,” Houston begins. “There was never another choice. So I enrolled at Providence College and double majored in biology and chemistry.” Degree in hand, she then went on to Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT for further education in molecular biology and biochemistry. She followed that up with working 12 years at Pfizer, spent time at Bristol Myers Squibb, and then at Alexion, later purchased by the more familiar AstraZeneca. But please don’t pigeonhole her as just “another geeky chemist.” Ann Houston is fun, pure fun. Engaging, outgoing, and ready to meet and greet everyone who comes by for a taste and to spend some time at Stonington Vineyards where they can always stir up some “social chemistry.”
“My husband, John (also a scientist), and I were customers here first. For the past 10 years, in fact. We loved the friendly staff, loved the ambiance, and loved the wines. My sisters live geographically in all different directions, so this was always our central meeting place to celebrate birthdays or just relax. John and I always talked about how much fun it would be to own a vineyard, and we spent plenty of time looking around for one, but they never felt right. Something was always missing. It was either not the right time or the right location or the right vibe. We used to say to each other, ‘If only Stonington Vineyards ever came up for sale…” but it never did.
Until now! Less than four months ago, the stars aligned over the pristine acreage on Taugwonk Road allowing Ann and John to realize that dream, sign the papers, and just like that, Stonington Vineyards was theirs! Suddenly, the Houstons were not just drinking the wine, they owned it! In a world often dominated by large-scale producers, their small vineyard is a testament to place, passion, and yes, to chemistry.
Previously, Stonington Vineyards had been owned since 1987 by Happy and Nick Smith who were well-known and well-regarded in the area. This is typical of small-scale operations which are frequently family-owned and thrive by being distinctive with a mission statement of “quality over quantity” and fostering relationships with their customers, something Ann Houston excels in.
The heart of the Houstons’ delicious “chem lab” is the tasting room, spacious and airy, but offering a sweeping view of the outdoors with its covered patio. Still, there is a welcome coziness to the room that has a working fireplace when Fall’s chill arrives. It’s well-complemented by the smiling faces of the people behind the counter who are there to provide a taste, recommend a fight, or enroll you as a new member of either the Cellar Society or the Premier Wine Club. Each has distinct benefits that range from discounts on tastings to special member promotions, private VIP tours, shipping, suggested food pairings, and recipes.
Make sure you pick up a brochure when you visit, and absolutely try a wine flight! At Stonington Vineyards they’ve made it easy. Select from a White Wine Flight, a Red Wine Flight, or build your own, choosing three wines from the list. All are comprised of three 3oz. pours, that you can pair with crackers, chips, nuts, pretzels, or the very popular Cato Corner cheese. You are also welcome to bring your own food along including during Friday evening music, summer concerts, and special events (check the website for the schedule). Food trucks will also be available.
It’s summer! Summer hours reflect the joyousness of the season as Stonington Vineyards is open seven days a week from 11AM on, not closing until 7PM. You’ll also be happy to know that winter does not mean closure. The vineyard will also be open throughout the year but with a closure at 5 PM since the days are shorter.
Because Ann loves to learn and try new things, craft classes have started in which guests to the winery can partner with local artists for direction, guidance, and perhaps a new hobby like quilling, the art of working with decorative papers that are rolled, shaped, and glued to create cards, boxes, and jewelry. Come pour a glass and try a class!
Stonington Vineyards has always been a wonderful go-to for celebrations of any kind, whether it’s just a couple on their first date or an entire happily raucous wedding party. Ann has been working closely with local caterers who have been unfailingly generous offering tips and ideas about staging successful weddings and parties. There’s a small space just off the tasting room and kitchen which is ideal for a smaller gathering, wedding or baby shower, business meeting, or just because. Not only is it a very viable space, but opens out to the back of the vineyard with yet another patio area and another eye-catching view.
Long-time winemaker, Mike McAndrew who has been WineMaster at Stonington Vineyards since 1987gives a simple explanation for why their wine is so well-received:
“Grow sound fruit, pick when ripe, and make great wine.” Succinct which makes for very good chemistry.
John and Ann know that the primary key to a successful vineyard is growing the grapes while respecting the roots, but they also know they are stewards of a well-established business so they need to grow their business while respecting the roots that Happy and Nick Smith put down. That starts right at the front door with their customers, the ones like them who have been coming for years, and the new ones they are trying to cultivate for the wine, the music, the festivals, and the smiles.
And that too comes down to chemistry and the smile that starts when the first glass is raised. Because as you read at the top of the page, chemistry is connection, a draw that makes you want more.
Come...have more!
Your chemistry lesson is waiting for you at Stonington Vineyards, happily nestled on a bucolic country road, but easy to find at 523 Taugwonk Road, Stonington.Reach it by taking Exit 91 off I-95 or from Rt. 184 East or West.
www.stoningtonvineyards.com (860) 535-1222.
Ann Houston, Owner
Carol Jenkins, August Wildflowers, Oil, 16 x 12” Neal Hughes, Angelique at the Dock, Oil, 14 x 18”
Jeanne Rosier Smith, Green Light, Pastel, 6 x 12”
Horseshoe Crab | Photo by Elizabeth S. Mitchell
Love Letters to the Shoreline
by Elizabeth S. Mitchell
Lessons from a Horseshoe Crab
“They look like little scooting army helmets,” was the thought I had upon seeing horseshoe crabs for the first time. It was Summer 2019, and in my 32 years, I’d never actually seen one in person before. I was visiting Harvey’s Beach from my then-home in Massachusetts, and unbeknownst to me, a conservation group had also planned a visit to the beach that day to tag horseshoe crabs in an effort to study and protect them, as well as educate the public.
Anyone interested was invited to help the team of scientists and conservationists gently catch, tag, and release the ancient creatures that visit the beaches of the CT shoreline in droves during May and June. I, along with several families, individuals, and children, gathered around to learn. And what we learned was fascinating.
Developing a deep affection for what are, essentially, sea tarantulas had not been an expected outcome of a beach day for this lifelong arachnophobe, but that’s exactly what happened. Horseshoe crabs, as it turns out, are not crabs at all, but arthropods, like spiders and scorpions. Older than the dinosaurs and gentler than any true crab, these “little scooting army helmets” have made up an essential part of the marine ecosystem for longer than any human can fathom. We can scarcely imagine the wisdom of creatures so ancient. But after living in Old Saybrook for several years now, during which time my love and fascination has only grown, I do like to imagine it.
Here, in no particular order, are lessons I’ve learned from the wisdom of the horseshoe crabs.
Don’t be deterred or discouraged by a dry season. Horseshoe crabs need the water to live, but sometimes, as happens to all of us, the tide turns too suddenly and they find themselves stranded. Alone and with the sun beating down on them, they do not give up or despair; they dig deep. Literally. They dig themselves down into the sand until they reach a place with enough moisture and water to keep them alive until the tide comes in again, which it reliably always does. And when it does, they resurface from the depths and are washed back into the life-giving waters of the sound, renewed.
Wear your armor, but be gentle underneath. To the untrained eye, a horseshoe crab might look like an army helmet wielding a small bayonet; their tails are long, hard, and sharp and appear to be frightening weapons. But in actuality, those tails, called telson, are used exclusively for steering themselves while swimming and flipping themselves right-side-up when overturned. They have no interest in harming swimmers, and they eat primarily mollusks, algae, and worms.
When your destination appears too far away to reach, rely on the buddy system. When horseshoe crabs are approaching the shore, they will often hitch rides to the beach by latching onto one another’s shells. And when they find themselves overturned on the beach and unable to flip back over, they often rely on an unlikely source of help: humans. I, myself, have used my morning beach walks to rescue overturned horseshoe crabs on many occasions, and while I can see they are not remotely calmed by the one-way-conversations I initiate by assuring them over and over I am not going to hurt them, I like to imagine that one I place them right-side-up back into the water, they register that they have made a friend.
The beach at sunset is a great spot for a romantic date. Horseshoe crabs come ashore in CT during May and June to mate, presumably because of ideal ecological conditions, but perhaps also because of ideal romantic conditions. It’s hard to beat Harvey’s Beach at sunset, and when you walk the beach at that time of day at this time of year, you are likely to see multiple pairs of horseshoe crabs along the waterline. My fiance and I were engaged at Harvey’s Beach at sunset, so clearly the horseshoe crabs have set a good precedent.
See and honor your place in the greater balance. For 400 million years, horseshoe crabs have been an important link in the chain of life. As the world changed, the creatures living in it changed, but horseshoe crabs have managed to survive countless extinctions and colossal global change, and still somehow remain invaluable to creatures millions of years younger than they are. The thousands upon thousands of eggs that they lay during mating season are an essential food source for migrating sea birds, and they even contribute immensely to the medicine that helps save human lives; their blood is used to detect bacterial contamination in medication, for instance.
So the next time you see a horseshoe crab scoot by as you’re swimming in the sound, maybe give them a friendly pat on the shell; they’ve seen countless worlds end and be reborn, and they’re still gentle enough to share the beach (and their wisdom) with us.
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It’s accessible—kits like the DragonForce 65 cost $200-$300—but high-end custom builds can run thousands. Enthusiasts often cite the mix of technical skill, outdoor challenge, and community as the draw.
Boats span a wide spectrum, from the compact and agile Footys—measuring just 12 inches long—to the impressive J Boats, which reach 8 feet in length, sport 10-foot masts, and weigh over 100 pounds. Between these two extremes is a diverse lineup of models: faithful replicas of Solings, Stars, and 12 Metres, as well as innovative designs like the IOM. Meanwhile, vintage classes
are gaining popularity among enthusiasts drawn to the timeless elegance of classic yacht designs.
It is widely agreed that the total population of RC sailing enthusiasts in the US ranges from 7,000 to 10,000 individuals, many of whom also participate in “big boat” sailing.
One of the fastest-growing trends in the sailing world is “shoulder season” RC sailing—when the big boats are tucked away for winter. Some clubs in the northeast, (for example, Noroton Yacht Club) keep the action going with lively fleets during the off-season. Then there are the true diehards, like the Dry Pants Model Yacht Club, who sail year-round—as long as the pond isn’t frozen, and the temperature stays above 35°F. It’s either pure dedication or borderline madness. Probably both. But it’s always a blast.
Established in 1970, the AMYA is a not-forprofit organization focused on the racing, designing, building, and preservation of model sailing yachts. The association welcomes anyone interested in these activities and serves as the international representative for sailboat racing in the US.
by Ron
Photo
Rhault
“There are thousands of people around the world racing radio-controlled model sailboats. This hobby grew out of Free Sailing that was very popular up until the 1970s,” explains Jim Kandler, Commodore of South East Wisconsin Model Yacht Club and Managing Editor of Model Yachting magazine.
“There are currently 206 local clubs that are registered with the AMYA in the US. We know that this is also very popular in Europe and Australia. There are 32 registered classes of RC sail boats being raced by members of the AMYA. Many of the sailors have more than one type of sailboat. While some of these sailboats are manufactured, many sailors make their own boats, sails, and hardware.”
“Some of the founding members are still participating in RC sailing,” the Commodore said adding, “Model Yacht Racing is popular on Facebook: There’s J Class Radio Sailors, Soling 1 Meter - Model Yachting, AMYA RC Sailors, EC12 Model Sailing Group, Radio Controlled Sailboats, International 12 Meter, American Model Yachting Association -AMYA, Model Boating, and the U.S. Vintage Model Yacht Group.”
The six clubs in Connecticut have approximately 80 members collectively. Dry Pants (DPMYC) is the largest, with around 32 members.
“Most members have had a previous or current interest in boating, and some are very serious racers (big and small boats). But there are people who have never sailed a boat before,” according to Grant Thomson, DPMYC Club Secretary, adding, “It’s not hard to learn how to sail, but there is a lot of skill learning to sail fast!”
Roughly five to twelve skippers compete on Sundays and Wednesdays at Plattwood Park Pond in Deep River. DPMYC’s primary boats are the CR-914 and the DragonFlite 95. A number of the members often sail other assorted classes as well on “Open Sailing Wednesdays”. They follow the racing rules for sailing - pretty much the same as big boats, with some minor changes. DPMYC also hosts major regattas that attract participants from around the nation.
“To start racing, we can lend a newcomer a boat, so there’s no cost to try it out. Used boats are available for around $300, but a new kit could be around $500, and a fully assembled boat can cost $700 or more. Our annual membership dues are $25, and there are also small fees to enter regattas.”
Sailors love helping newcomers with boat builds, tuning tips, and race rules. The AMYA website (www.theamya.org) is the place to begin—it’s packed with class information, resources, and contact info for each club.
Photo by Chesapeake Performance Models
The Commodore advises, “Talk to someone that you see RC sailing, they don’t bite. RC sailing is more fun if you have others that you sail with. And don’t buy a boat on Amazon then find that the local people are not sailing that class. Find the local people, they can point you to a good starting class that they know and sail already.”
“The local clubs are just a starting point for many. They often go on to race in Regional Regattas, and some even sail internationally. Some people currently racing full size boat say that they hone their skills because they can complete in more races since they often last for about only 20 minutes.”
So why not join an RC sailing group? It’s exciting. It sharpens racing skills. It’s perfect for teaching the rules of the road or introducing young sailors to racing. And unlike a 40-foot yacht, your maintenance costs on a 40-inch RC boat won’t leave you seasick. Not into racing? No worries. Many sailors simply enjoy the building process and the quiet pleasure of sailing. Remember how much fun that simple homemade boat was? It’s the same feeling— just with more refined tools.
Photos and P quez Sterling olina Már Car ofile by Pro
They say it’s just a dog.
But science—and sorrow— fffer y. . The neural pathways we create with our pets, especially un deeper than even those with humans. I don’t need the science to feel this truth. Still, it is reassuring to know it backs my anecdotal evidence. Their love enters through a portal that few people find: the one marked ‘unconditional.’ No judgment, no expectations, just peace and presence. They remind you that
dogs, can r ent story tell a dif
YOU, as you are, are enough. And this love transcends words and understanding in a way that, unless you experience it, you won’t comprehend.
$2 admission fee. In the lobby
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Driving around on the back roads of Ve y, , I stumbled across a sign pointing to a Dog Chapel. I pulled over to the side of the road to take a photo. The sign was beautifully carved with an image of a person walking a couple of dogs. It had a distinctive style that was familiar and compelling. My heart skipped a beat when I realized I had stumbled onto Stephen Huneck’s Gallery and Art—a serendipitous moment directing me up the mountain to his studio gallery and Dog Chapel.
unapologetically witty ough the image on the flyer for a 38-year that day job and go of years earlier it marked a full-circle return to an artist who, r, , had unknowingly mentored my understanding of art.
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create in the privacy of my is like prayer; to be effectiv to be alone.” This realization drop out and find a new pat
There is a fence with dog heads used for the fence caps. But Huneck’s masterpiece, dedicated to dogs, is the Dog Chapel, which features its own doggie door.
As if that isn’t enough, the Gallery and shop provide a complete feel for his work. A dachshund forms the base of a side-end table. Shaker-style chairs featured shaking hands instead of ladderback slats, while other chairs displayed leaping trout, full-size nuns — I imagine a throwback to his early parochial schooling —and regal retrievers abound. A golden sun atop a cupboard illuminates carved flowers and leaves. These creatures and much of the natural world are Huneck’s muses and the focus of most of his work.
As the tale goes, in 1994, after a near-death experience, Huneck, while coming down some stairs in his home carrying a sculpture, fell and broke some ribs that punctured his lungs. He fell into a deep coma. Three months later, he awoke. It took nearly a year for him to fully recuperate, during which he had to relearn how to walk. Throughout this process, his wife, Gwen, and their dogs provided him with motivation to heal.
In 2010, Huneck wrote, “As I placed the walker over the threshold of the room, a thought flooded my head: Build a dog chapel. My first reaction was excitement. And then I started thinking, ‘Geez, I’d be lucky to build a little doghouse with what I owe in medical bills.’ he exclaims in an interview.
Huneck envisioned creating a chapel modeled after an 1820s Vermont church at Dog Mountain, their mountaintop farm. His goal was to celebrate the spiritual bond between dogs and humans, designing it to blend seamlessly into the landscape as if it had always belonged there.
Three years later, after much hard work, the Chapel was completed and opened on Memorial Day in 2000. The Chapel is punctuated by Huneck’s humor, as evidenced by a sign reading, “Welcome all creeds, all breeds, no dogmas allowed.” Every element of the Chapel, from the stained-glass windows to the hand-carved pews, has been created by Huneck. At the top of the steeple, a golden angel dog sculpture, which serves as a functional weathervane, appears to take flight. He established a “Remembrance Wall,” inviting people to submit photos and messages. It became so widespread that the chapel walls are covered in notes and images of dogs who await a reunion on the Rainbow Bridge. To the extent that there are photo albums cataloging the previous visitor’s commemorations. Each detail reflects Huneck’s deep spiritual connection to the soul of dogs. What gave him the most joy is the comfort the Chapel brings to those who visit to remember their beloved pets.
“You too c build a chapel mory of your dog, a place at is always op –your heart.”
— Steph Huneck
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Stephen Huneck not only tapped into the spirits of humans with his art, but n-derstood the shared energy fields and bond between dogs and their humans. The Dog Chapel serves as a space for remembrance and celebration, where people can mourn the loss of their beloved pets and commemorate the joy of having shared their lives with them. The Chapel also provides a place for
losing a pet. Sally pp pet owners to find comfort and c y, , a black Lab, is touched his heart and soul and t mostof his books and prints.
closure after the dog that he model for
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Laszlo, my papillon, among his fellow K9s, commemorated. Opposite Page: Photograph of Stephen Huneck courtesy of FODM. It is said that he had over 150 Chisels and working tools. Images of the gallery and shop.
swoon with Stephen Huneck’
Photo by Gregory Post
What is Greg Drinking?
Unfiltered Unadulterated.
Direct from the source. What a concept at a time when we are tasked with sorting our way through a sea of distortion and creative editing. Whether we are talking about food and water or news sources, you can’t take anything for granted these days. I am, therefore, pleased to present the July beverage offering: the 2024 Stolpman Sauvignon Blanc “Unfiltered.”
The consensus on California Sauvignon Blanc is that it leans towards the crisper citrus with notes of floral fields and maybe a little melon on the finish. It is a big state, and obviously, the latitude and longitude of each winery are going to be a huge determining factor in the end result. “Unfiltered” by Stolpman Vineyards more than stands up to the tall task of being unique in a market saturated with similar options. The journey was not a typical one for a relatively widely distributed wine from a reputable source like this. Back in 2008, years before Saltwater Farm Vineyard was yet to open, the winemakers at Stolpman pulled a sample of the Sauvignon Blanc straight from the tank and were floored with the results. It had an elegant mouthfeel that helped the otherwise brighter tropical notes linger just a little longer on the taste buds. Despite enthusiasm from within the vineyard staff, the decision was ultimately that the general public was not ready for such a radically different take on a mainstream fan favorite that is noted for the clarity of the contents as the sharpness in aromatics and flavors. Sometimes the universe weaves an invisible string to pull things together in a way that only later on makes sense. In 2008, when they were first discussing the possibility of an unfiltered release, one of the main winemakers survived being attacked by a great white shark. Years later, when they finally worked up the courage to go forward with this small batch release, the California coast was alerted to the presence of three great whites in the immediate vicinity of their winery! Serendipity chasing seals in the Pacific.
This wine is zesty and sublimely fruit-laden, with truly unique piña colada pineapple and coconut notes that are as destined for a pool house fridge or the deck of a boat as one could ever ask for.
The limestone soil at the vineyard has a lot in common with the region in France where the grape is thought to have originated. The softness is the result of direct pressing of the grapes, which were harvested organically and left with extended contact with lees (sediment and dead yeast that are normally removed during filtration). The grapes are organically farmed, and the yeast is native, all very appealing qualities at a time when knowing what goes into our food and beverages is essential. Aged 3 months in 500L neutral French puncheons (wine casks).
Sauvignon Blanc, like many of the widely planted varieties out there, has a certain amount of baggage that travels with it reflecting the point of origin. If it is coming from the vaunted vineyards of France it will likely be a little higher in minerality, with bright acidic citrus notes and a super crisp finish. In South Africa, you are more likely to get bigger notes of lime and grapefruit with a herbaceous backbone. Marlborough New Zealand, the current capital of this noble grape as far as production and innovation, runs sort of a balance between the first two with bold tropical guava and pineapple intertwined with zesty jalapeno and flinty wet rocks. We even grow Sauvignon Blanc at Saltwater Farm and Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyards respectively, which presents subtle notes of lemongrass and white pepper (and is a super refreshing rebuff to the humidity so often hanging around this time of year).
Personally, I like my ‘Savvy B’ the way my two little ones present themselves: exciting and full of brightness! I am not a ‘side of jalapeños with my vino’ practitioner; and yet, when I went to my sommelier class, the instruction to not be a gatekeeper to the wonderful world of wine was made very clear. I begrudge not a chilled red nor a strawberry in the sparkling because ultimately the effort of trying and being open to new wines is the goal for our culture and industry. When it comes to this July offering, if you like piña coladas, (with or without dancing in the rain), give this beverage a shot.
Gregory Post is a sommelier and manager at Saltwater Farm Vineyard, affiliated with Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard.
Aeality
s if stopping by for a visit fro the ocean, an octopus, merm and two turtles surround Ar ShWhi’hdi
Sharon White’s home studio in Pawcatuck, Connecticut.
In r y, , they are just a few of the colorful creations the artist has painted on old, used and broken surfboards over the past seven years.
White said she first conceived of the idea after someone gave her an old board. “I like doing unconventional art, things that nobody else is doing. Everybody can paint a starfish, an oyster shell, a sailboat, a lighthouse. I wanted something that wasunique…So I decided to find surfboards rgge art.”
ough friends, family becauseIlovelar
The Stonington, Connecticut native said she loves the fact that surfboards always have a certain mystical appeal to people. Distressed surfboards come to her thr y, , word of mouth and Facebook Marketplace searches. Seated in her stunning studio with 25foot, wood-planked ceilings, exposed
Profile and Photographs by Toormay
Jan T
brick and a view of the Pawcatuck River om maid rtist i r, , the former California surfer describes repurposing surfboards as art therapy: relaxidi“Ijbif
ing and creative. “It just brings me comfort. It’s just my thing to do, especially now that I have this beautiful view and this beautiful creative work space. It just flows.”
White, who works as an administrative manager and human resource representative, said her surfboard art helps her professional career as well, because she has a good life balance. “It relieves the stress of business, yet I create beautiful art.”
The self-taught artist said she never knows what she is going to do with a new project until she begins working on it. For example, a board she was just going to paint blue eventually became her mermaid board (her pride and joy). “I just started drawing and then I got the basic shape in and then it went deeper into detail…That will never leave.”
Three old surfboards stand together in a corner waiting their turn to be transformed.
ed ” This is not White’
Motto Sharon White tries to live by. “Don’t be afraid to be scar ’s s artwork
M Mermaid Surfboard
esaidshehasalrea will paint two of the ape or other design s on the other one. for enhancing boa ondsandconnects ing and touching t dy decided that m and create a n using mosaic Specific designs and rds happen when s with them while hem - tuning into “Y because they have a dif
nality gg shapes and texture
times, White resto works in a design, b y, , such as t h e ms.Other times stheboard. Pointi surfboard with a d canfeelitwasrep left it like that bec
Y exture. Yoou can al ened to this board
White said she prefers using old surfboar ffferent, almost hum feel to them after “bonding” with a perso Yoou can get a new board anywhere.”
rds,
Surfers get attached to their boards, whi store memories, she explained. On a rece
…its journey ed by somebody es.
ores surfboards but keeps their heir names and s, she completely ing to a patched design, she said, pair y, , cause it kind of gives most imagine what y..”
‘Y
on. ich ent ed she ce. “I was ow e ife ng) e
Key W Weest, Florida vacation, White picke up a surfboard from a 70-year-old man she connected with on Facebook Marketplace. “I probably spent two hours with him. He was talking about when he got the board, how old he was, what he’s done with it. So he had that personal attachment, but his wi was just at a point (where she was saying) Yooucan’tholdontothisforever.’ So he decided to sell it.”
After learning what White was going to do with his board, he gifted it to her under the condition that she send him a picture of it
oken Surfboard T Br Trransformed into A
man
Art.
Octopus Surfboard
when it’s done. “He was rea to have it become a piece of someone was going to enjoy home,” she said.
This scenario happens to her They either gift boards to her her a minimal price for them. boards are often listed for bet and $500.
White also takes on commissi boar r, , they take m as she meets with the owners whatdesignsthey’relooking for
ds. However
what designs theyre looking “favorite thing,” likes, dislike special requests, and commun them during each step of the “Everybody has something in an octopus? Is it a turtle? Is it it a shark?”
Prices range between $450 an She just finished a surfboard f of hers, whose son recently tu I met with him and found out likes were…his favorite color two of his favorite tattoos (an nautical star) and I put them as well. So, that was really ex Creating new art out of old su also very popular in Hawaii a fornia and becoming a trend i White said.
Process
The first step in repurposin involves a heat gun and scr remove any remaining wax original surface. Next, Whit wax buffer to “buff it out.”
Once she has an idea for a usually sketches her conce before “chalking” it out on White then paints the boar the details “and just know it’s done. The final step is clear, protective coating. T process takes about two to weeks to complete, depend complexity of the design.
ally happy f art that y in their all the time. or charge Used tween $175 ioned surfmore time, s to discern r, , their es and any nicates with process. n mind…Is it t a whale? Is nd $1,500. for a friend urned 21. “So t what his rs, and I took nchor and on the board citing to do.” urfboards is and Caliin Florida, g a board aper to from its te uses a car design, she ept on paper n the boar d. r d with all s” when to apply a The entir e o thr ee ding on the
power my dearr, , you
on White lives by “Y
Clockwise: Sculpture. Photo by Sharon White Belief Shar Yoou always had the p just had to learn it for yourself.” Sharon White with her Hawaiian Surfboard.
Occasionally she creates art using new surfboards (a foam blank) without the fiberglass top and epoxy resin.
White’s dream is to have one of her designs purchased by a major surfboard company.
Surfboards surrounding her studio vary in size. “The really long boards are used for a totally different type of surfing,” White said. “You’re like long riding waves. It’s more of a graceful surf. It’s not a competitive surf where you’re cutting into the waves, flipping and doing all those magical things. This is just a ‘Stand up and ride a wave as long as you can.”
White believes her roots affect her art. While in high school, she worked as a lifeguard at DuBois Beach in Stonington Borough. “So part of that was having a longboard. And we paddled out around the area, the raft and everything. I’ve always had a love for the ocean, and it started at a very young age…I was always out on a board when I was younger. I was either paddling or learning to surf.”
Artist Enjoys Creating Other Types of Art Too
White said she is always looking for different things to do with art. Acrylic on canvas and reverse painting on glass pieces line her walls - many featuring nautical scenes. She also creates sculptures, driftwood sailboats, surfboard covers, purses and designs on clothing.
Additionally, she creates huge painted cement leaves. At the end of the summer, White picks up all the large leaves on her mother’s property - including Elephant Ears and Hosta leaves. “I create probably three 8-foot tables with mounds of sand (which maintain the curved arch of the leaf). I put
leaves on it and cement over it, cover it with plastic and place it in a storage area.”
After about one month, she peels the leaf out. “The leaf veining goes right into the cement and cures it.”
She then paints the cement leaves. During the summer, she consigns them out at stores and sells them independently.
From a very young age, White said she always wanted to be an artist and designer and loves designing spaces. While attending Stonington High School, her art teacher, the late Sadie DeVore, told her, “You have an incredible talent,” White said. “And I was just like, ‘This is just easy.’”
Sharon White’s Surfboard Artistry Photo by Sharon White
Sharon White’s Surfboard Artistry Photo by Sharon White
Tools for artwork.
She is inspired by the artist, Wyland, who she described as a “great conservationist.” His free spirit, unconventional, “Do what makes you feel good” art is also something she can relate to, said White, who has watched him paint murals in New London, Connecticut and Key West, Florida.
“So the funny thing about my art is that even when I had the studio (at the Velvet Mill in Stonington Borough), I do art that appeals to me. It doesn’t appeal to everyone…So that is my gift. I don’t create art for sales.”
She said she creates art because it’s something she needs to do. “I’ll get an idea in my brain and it just has to come out.”
Sharon White studied business administration and theatre/costume design at the University of Rhode Island.
For more information, go to Sharon White’s website: https://swhite0712.wixsite.com/sharonlwhite, Facebook: Sharon L. White Artist - Designer, Instagram: sharonwhiteartist, email her at swhite0712@ gmail.com, or call her at 860-865-5371.
One of Sharon White’s Surfboards. Photo by Sharon White
Sharon White with a heat gun and scraper.
Old boards wait their turn to be transformed.
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