Long Beach Island Rhapsody

~ Paintings of the Island by Sixty Contemporary Artists ~

Introduction

by George C. Valente

Long Beach Island is literally an island unto itself, and as those who live or visit here know, it is often a world unto itself. This book features more than 280 paintings of the Island by sixty contemporary artists. The works not only show the Long Beach Island of today but also preserve many of its past landmarks and scenes now gone forever. The artists take the reader on a journey through time and all four seasons, and many of the locations, landmarks, and themes appear and reappear, each interpreted anew. They compose a visual expression of this world, a rhapsody of all that this island at the Jersey Shore has been and is today.

As this book took form (and I began to see the hours of sheer pleasure these paintings would bring), the title word, “rhapsody,” came to mind and seemed most fitting—the varied paintings and writings, when viewed in an extended sitting, give an overwhelming expression of feeling and enthusiasm. The flow of the artists' styles and paintings are like a rhapsodic musical composition, irregular in form and suggestive of improvisation—but ultimately not random. The works have been painstakingly created and chosen, each artist a bridge and each painting a note within the theme. Together, they become an affirmation and celebration of life, a tour de force full of delight, warmth, and uplift, and a complete vision and portrait of Long Beach Island and the Jersey Shore.

Each of the works is accompanied with text by the artist. Their charming and informative writings describe their motivations and creative processes as well as insights into the Island's loveliest locations, history, lifestyles, and more.

All of the artists presented are known throughout the Jersey Shore and some are known nationally as well. Most of the images (originals and prints) can be seen in galleries throughout the Jersey Shore and New Jersey as well as various areas of the United States. More about each of the artists can be found under the “Biographies” section at the back of this book.

To create this book, our art director, Judy Cardella, and I researched and solicited many artists to submit their paintings of the Island for consideration. From almost 1,200 paintings, we began the selection process. Once complete, Judy and her assistant, Diana Jacob, had the daunting task of communicating with sixty artists, collecting their photographs of the paintings (and in some cases, their originals) as well as their writings. Suffice to say, this was not an easy task and dozens of different scenarios ensued. In some cases, paintings that were chosen and then requested from the artist mysteriously disappeared, leaving us silent and forcing us to keep the process of editing the images open and in flux.

Each of the artists featured in this book is unique in style, approach, and personality. The selection of their images was made with various criteria in mind. Our goal was not only to present their best work submitted to us but also to take into consideration the combined content of the images as well as the concept that certain images of Long Beach Island must be included in a book of this type. After the works were selected and organized, the five chapter themes presented themselves in a very simple and natural manner: “On the Beach,” “Along the Bay,” “Landmarks & Homes,” “32 Views of Barnegat Lighthouse,” and “The Shack on the Causeway.” The works are organized in these chapters by artist, most in alphabetical order by their last names. For the convenience of readers, we have made note of the paintings that are available in print form.

Another book could be written about each of the artists and their works appearing here. All stand out in their own way. Some artists are featured more than others, and this is largely due to the content and quantity of the work they presented to us for consideration.

Robert Sakson's beautiful and masterly watercolors are a priceless record of many of the lost scenes of the Island, some recalled by many and others known by few until now. His work is the most featured in this book: the beauty, quality, and shear scope of his content is extraordinary.

The well-known works of Carol Freas have charmed residents and visitors for years. She too has captured innumerable images of the Island, from fishing and crabbing at Barnegat Light to just about every landmark. Her endearing style and content, as well as her writings, makes summer on the Island come alive on the page.

Many know the charming and historic paintings of Cathleen Engelsen. Reflecting her detailed research into each subject, her paintings of long gone pound boats, wooden commercial fishing boats, and historic landmarks and homes, as well as her informative text, bring the Island's past to life.

The paintings of Jane Law (mentor to many and perhaps the Island's most well known artist) grace these pages and the back cover. Many will know her magnificent works and recognizable style. She too has chronicled the Island with more paintings than can be counted; her timeless works will be enjoyed for generations.

Our cover artist, Joyce Lawrence, says, “I often like to recapture things that have been long gone.” Her beautiful and fine oil paintings of scenes past are like the classics of old. Her cover painting, “Barnegat Light,” perfectly captures the spirit of this book: she combines an image of the past with the Island's landmark of today in a masterful, beautiful, and timeless painting. You can hear the rhapsody of this book in her work—in the sails of the boats as they approach the Light.

Due to the creativity of the women and men who's works are presented, I believe Long Beach Island Rhapsody stands as one of the most beautiful books about the Jersey Shore ever published. It is my hope that it will bring you closer to the places and memories you love about Long Beach Island and the Jersey Shore.

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My work is dedicated to my son, Christopher George, who was born during the creation of this book.

Special thanks to my wife, Jane, and to the Valente and Holand families.

For all of their creativity, hard work, and patience during the creation of this book, I thank: each of the sixty artists, Judy Cardella, and Diana Jacob.

Special thanks to: Gary Hoffman and Karen France. Additional special thanks to: Cheryl Kirby, Jane Law, Cricket Luker, Anne LaBontÈ Neff, and Muriel Rogers.

— George C. Valente, February 2006

George C. Valente (b. 1961) has been publishing magazines, guidebooks, maps, internet sites, and books about the Jersey Shore and New Jersey since 1984. He graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with a B.A. in English in 1983. He is the founder, editor, and publisher of Jersey Shore Publications, a publishing house based in Bay Head, New Jersey. He lives on the Metedeconk River at the foot of Barnegat Bay with his wife, Jane, and three children, Sarah, Anna, and Christopher.