Candace Whittemore Lovely
American Impressionist, born 1953
In a picture-perfect instant, an artist’s passion was born when, as a child, Candace Lovely was handed a red crayon. The daughter of an artist, Lovely recalls her mother calming and entertaining her with the instrument and hue that would color and underscore her career, her body of work, and the penetrating scarlet signature that signs her name across it all.
Candace Whittemore Lovely
American Impressionist, born 1953
In a picture-perfect instant, an artist’s passion was born when, as a child, Candace Lovely was handed a red crayon. The daughter of an artist, Lovely recalls her mother calming and entertaining her with the instrument and hue that would color and underscore her career, her body of work, and the penetrating scarlet signature that signs her name across it all.
Beginning her formal art education close to home at the University of Vermont, Lovely was enthralled by the world and the ideology of American Impressionism, and in particular, the works of Winslow Homer. Imploring one professor, she asked, “who can teach me to paint like him?” His answer was, “no one.” Challenged by the layers of this truth – that one must start with an innate gift, and few (if any) contemporary artists teach the depth of technique found in the original impressionists – Lovely knew she wanted not just to paint, but to learn from the masters. Graduating with a bachelor’s and teaching certificate, she went on to develop her training at the Boston School, America’s oldest continuing school of painting. Studying at the Ateliers of Robert Cormier and Paul Ingbretson at Fenway Studios, Lovely progressed from primary to premier, eventually owning a Fenway Studio where John Singer Sargent once painted.
Beginning her formal art education close to home at the University of Vermont, Lovely was enthralled by the world and the ideology of American Impressionism, and in particular, the works of Winslow Homer. Imploring one professor, she asked, “who can teach me to paint like him?” His answer was, “no one.” Challenged by the layers of this truth – that one must start with an innate gift, and few (if any) contemporary artists teach the depth of technique found in the original impressionists – Lovely knew she wanted not just to paint, but to learn from the masters. Graduating with a bachelor’s and teaching certificate, she went on to develop her training at the Boston School, America’s oldest continuing school of painting. Studying at the Ateliers of Robert Cormier and Paul Ingbretson at Fenway Studios, Lovely progressed from primary to premier, eventually owning a Fenway Studio where John Singer Sargent once painted.
Lovely often references the Boston School traditions as the base influence of her artistic philosophy, combining of Neoclassicism and Impressionism in the observation of light and color. Her resulting portfolio quickly became recognized and celebrated, perhaps most widely known for the official portrait of Fenway Park for the 1999 All-Star Game and the 1991 portrait of former First Lady Barbara Bush, an historic work in residence at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Lovely often references the Boston School traditions as the base influence of her artistic philosophy, combining of Neoclassicism and Impressionism in the observation of light and color. Her resulting portfolio quickly became recognized and celebrated, perhaps most widely known for the official portrait of Fenway Park for the 1999 All-Star Game and the 1991 portrait of former First Lady Barbara Bush, an historic work in residence at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Lovely has since become ensconced in the art industry worldwide, now referred to as “the top American living female impressionist artist,” known for capturing contemporary American life with a distinctly feminine flair. A Copley Society Master and designated “The Grand Dame of Boston painters” by Internationally respected art dealer James Bakker and The Boston Globe, her body of work evokes idyllic scenes of treasured locales and landscapes and people at play in picturesque settings.
Lovely has since become ensconced in the art industry worldwide, now referred to as “the top American living female impressionist artist,” known for capturing contemporary American life with a distinctly feminine flair. A Copley Society Master and designated “The Grand Dame of Boston painters” by Internationally respected art dealer James Bakker and The Boston Globe, her body of work evokes idyllic scenes of treasured locales and landscapes and people at play in picturesque settings.
Today, Lovely paints from her home studio on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, inspiring artists and art lovers through speaking, education, and gallery showings of both new and classic works. Lovely continues to produce a prolific collection of inspirational scenes and captivating figures – a broadly styled contribution to the art industry worldwide, with almost every canvas signed in red.
Today, Lovely paints from her home studio on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, inspiring artists and art lovers through speaking, education, and gallery showings of both new and classic works. Lovely continues to produce a prolific collection of inspirational scenes and captivating figures – a broadly styled contribution to the art industry worldwide, with almost every canvas signed in red.
Formal Education
- Robert Cormier Atelier, Fenway Studios
Boston, Massachusetts | 1982-1985 - Paul Ingbretson Atelier, Fenway Studios
Boston, Massachusetts | 1981-1984 - University of Vermont, 5th Year Teaching Certificate
Burlington, Vermont | 1979 - University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont | BS, 1975
Candace is a member of multiple organizations in the arts and beyond.
Candace's career has flourished as she has earned awards and Hall of Fame honors. In 1991 Lovely painted the official portrait of Barbara Bush in the First Lady’s Garden at the White House. She is a University of Vermont Most Prominent Alumna and a Copley Society Master. Her paintings capture the moment. Whether it’s a polo match, an old man shucking peas, umbrellas at the beach, or a Vermont pasture, her work embraces the scene and use light and color to express life and love.
More Awards and Recognition
Formal Education
- Robert Cormier Atelier, Fenway Studios
Boston, Massachusetts | 1982-1985 - Paul Ingbretson Atelier, Fenway Studios
Boston, Massachusetts | 1981-1984 - University of Vermont, 5th Year Teaching Certificate
Burlington, Vermont | 1979 - University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont | BS, 1975
Candace is a member of multiple organizations in the arts and beyond.
Candace's career has flourished as she has earned awards and Hall of Fame honors. In 1991 Lovely painted the official portrait of Barbara Bush in the First Lady’s Garden at the White House. She is a University of Vermont Most Prominent Alumna and a Copley Society Master. Her paintings capture the moment. Whether it’s a polo match, an old man shucking peas, umbrellas at the beach, or a Vermont pasture, her work embraces the scene and use light and color to express life and love.
More Awards and Recognition