Art on the Trail, our celebration of artwork inspired by the LHT continues! We are thrilled to present inspiring contributions from local artists – professional and amateur, across various media, each creator taken with different scenes along our 22 miles of trail. Currently, we are accepting new pieces incorporating or inspired by Architecture along the trail. Keep creating, we can’t wait to see your work. And, be sure to check out previously featured artists in our gallery for inspiration.
Lucia Stout, courtesy of the artist
Meet Lucia Stout – a regenerative farmer and artist in Hopewell who studied art history and has been creating since childhood. Lucia works across various media, from watercolors to photography — and she is inspired by nature, art history, and the opportunity to work with and experience other artists’ creations.
LHT: Can you share a biography or Artist’s Statement?
Lucia: I’m an artist and farmer and have lived for 35 years with my husband Charlie Huebner at our preserved farm in Hopewell. We raise cattle, sheep and are activists encouraging environmentally responsible and regenerative agriculture. Beechtree Farm and her animals are frequent subjects for my art. I love to do animal portrait commissions and I’m a regular walker of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail where I find inspiration for many of my paintings.
“Besides being such an ecological superstar for the monarch butterfly, milkweed is so picturesque. I’ve always loved this plant. This is a pastel painting, 16×12” unframed; 23×19” framed. It was accepted into the 2020 Pastel Society of New Jersey Juried Art Show, courtesy of Lucia Stout
Intrigued by the beautiful sepia color from black walnuts, I make and paint with walnut ink. I also work in pastel, watercolor, and oil, and I’m a photographer. One collection of my photographs features heart images found in nature — a piece of bark, rocks, clouds, melting snow.
I have been included at the Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show, the Trenton Museum Society at Ellarslie, the Audubon Society’s Wild New Jersey show, and in solo and group shows throughout the area. Thirteen years ago, I started painting with other artists every week at the historic Hopewell Train Station. This has grown into a thriving and creative community, the “Artists at the Station” (during the pandemic and in winter the artists “Zoom” together). Currently I am showing my work in the Garden State Watercolor Society and the Pastel Society of New Jersey members shows. I am a signature member of the GSWS. I received my BA in art history from Vassar College.
LHT: How long have you been creating? What inspired you to start or restart creating art?
Lucia: I’ve been blessed to have been painting and drawing ever since childhood. Happily, I weathered the storm in teenage-hood when we become so self-judgmental about whether something “is any good or not.” One inspiration that stands out in particular in adulthood was when I took a watercolor and drawing class at the Princeton Adult School and later classes in portraiture and pastel painting at the Arts Council in Princeton.
LHT: What is your preferred medium or media?
Lucia: This depends on the day and what I’m painting. I love all the mediums and have decided I don’t have to pick just one. Right now, I’m having a blast in my pastel studio in our garden shed. My oil studio is in my barn and I’ve taken over my grown son’s room for my watercolor and walnut ink paintings. As my friends who walk with me know, I stop often for photographs.
Sycamores, 12×12”, oil on canvas, courtesy of the artist
LHT: Is all your artwork inspired by nature?
Lucia: Yes, very much so. I also find inspiration in other artist’s work; studying art history in college was a feast for my eyes and soul. Visiting museums is one of my favorite things to do.
LHT: What about the LHT inspires you? What are your favorite segments?
Lucia: My favorite subjects are the dried weeds in autumn, winter, and early spring. Trees are endlessly interesting and inspiring too. The sycamore trees just before the bridge headed into Rosedale Park are so full of character. Every segment of the LHT has its own unique character and charm. Today I walked the Carson Road portion of the LHT. The combination of fields and woods, weeds and melting snow made me yearn to get behind my easel.
Winter Light at Beechtree Farm, 14×11″, oil on canvas, courtesy of the artist
LHT: How did you discover the LHT?
Lucia: Co-founder of the LHT, Becky Taylor, is a friend from back when our boys were at Hopewell Elementary School. She told me she worried it wasn’t safe for her husband to be riding a bike on the road. She and her co-founder, Eleanor Horne, set out to create this trail. Their hard work and persistence have paid off, big time, for all of us. Kudos to them and everyone who made this happen! More recently, about a decade ago, I started walking every week with a close friend. We decided to walk the whole LHT trail. We continue to explore different segments of the LHT regularly.
LHT: Do you have advice or messages for other artists (adults, kids, novices, pros) encouraging them to get outside and create art inspired by the LHT?
Lucia: Look out for local art classes and workshops. They really help. I’d also seek out other people who do art and make plans to go out together. Join your local Arts Council. I’m a member of the Hopewell Valley Arts Council who has excellent projects. Art is more fun, for me, in the company of other artists.
Hedgerows, 36×24″, oil on canvas, courtesy of the artist
Weeds, 10×10″, walnut ink on canvas, courtesy of the artist
Blondes, courtesy of the artist
Tucker, 12×9″, pastel on paper, courtesy of the artist
This is on the trail from Rosedale Park to the Pole Farm along the short stretch by Cold Soil Road. Walking with my dear friend, we passed by this venerable fieldstone home. The painting is rendered in walnut ink which I’ve made by boiling black walnuts, in their black husks. Courtesy of the artist
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