Jersey Shore Art Exhibit On Display in Ramsey

A New Jersey artist whose specialty is depicting scenes of the Jersey Shore in his paintings is on display in Ramsey.

Stephen D’Amato, a Cranford man who says he travels to the Jersey Shore once a week to get inspiration for his watercolors and oil paintings, is working to have one of his collections tour libraries across the state. Now through June 2, his work will be displayed at the Ramsey Public Library.

“The Jersey Shore has always been a creative source of inspiration,” D’Amato said. “[I find] diverse shore areas interesting to paint.”

The artist has future exhibits set up at the Berkley Heights and Ridgewood Libraries, but said he was interested in displaying his work at the Ramsey Library because of it has the perfect space to accommodate his work.

In a brochure at the library, D’Amato explains some of the inspiration behind his works:

This exhibition is a continuing series of my paintings of the Jersey Shore. I’ve always been inspired by the different shore towns and their unique personalities. I gravitate toward some areas more than others.

As a child I looked forward to our summer family vacations at Wildwood Crest. It still has a magnetic draw for me. Over the years, my vacations have been about finding and painting interesting areas. These days, I find myself less interested in doing the activities of a beach vacation. I almost feel guilty. However I haven’t gotten tired of painting in the Wildwood and Cape May areas. I find it even more interesting painting in the off-season.

For the past couple of years I’ve become attracted to painting the towns of Ocean Grove and Asbury Park. Ocean Grove has a laid back, family orientated type of personality. This could be due to the religious campground history, which is still present in The Great Auditorium and many of the activities. The statue of Stokes, the founder of the Ocean Grove camp meetings, and the backdrop of the Great Auditorium seems like the backbone of this town. This is what I wanted to convey in my painting.

Asbury Park has the almost opposite character. An eclectic population, somewhat on the wilder side, lends itself to a new high energy. The historic buildings, some of which now seem like ruins, are full of character. The nightclubs also add interest to the town, especially the legendary The Stone Pony.

I prefer painting landscapes on location. Using photographs inhibits my creative process and execution of the painting. I like a more loose technique and for me working from photographs give my paintings a stiff look as opposed to a painterly feel.

However, many great artists I admire have used a combination of different resource materials. Some use numerous sketches as studies and might incorporate using photographs to study from. For many artists the final painting is created in their studios.

Ultimately it does come down to the final product and not so much the means. In the future I may work in this manner as well. Presently, working outside gives me a connection with my subject. This direct approach is most rewarding. When the weather is cold or rainy, I can paint in my car.

Submit your questions or news tips to jessica.mazzola@patch.com. And, remember to sign up for Ramsey Patch's daily newsletter, and get updates on Facebook and Twitter.