About CTSA

Welcome to Connecticut Shoreline Artists (CTSA).

CTSA came into being when a group of us who got acquainted through several years of watercolor classes with Joan Downey at Guilford Arts Center (GAC) decided to continue painting after classes ended. So in 2010, we found ourselves painting far into the fall, communicating by email to decide where and when to meet. Our little family has snow-balled into a community that needs a way to keep in touch other than email. A blog seemed to fit the purpose.

Although we are many, the number of artists who actually go out and paint each week still is small enough that we can fit comfortably in the places where we go to paint. Sometimes in less appealing weather, we might be just two -- sometimes two dozen, but not necessarily the same people every week.

We have no formal organization – no by-laws, no dues, no officers. Our objectives are to just get out and paint together, to discipline ourselves to paint regularly, to share and learn from each other, to support each other, and to share information about painting and art events in our area. Skill level is not important. We range from absolute beginners to professionals who teach. Although we are mostly watercolorists, some of our members work in oils, acrylics, dry media... We're all just plein air painters.

Depending on weather, we paint weekly from mid-April (sometimes earlier) through mid-December, ranging from the Branford River to the Connecticut River and beyond, but with Guilford as our base. Our regular painting days are Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we generally paint from 9 to Noon in spring and fall; 8 to Noon in summer, sometimes followed by a wrap-up with photos (finished or not) and sometimes a byo lunch. The earlier summer start time gives us better light, more possible painting time, and cooler temperatures. 

Occasionally, we have tried to fit in a critique session, but the critique remains very loose and informal -- dependent upon people who invite feedback about their paintings and dependent upon others who are willing to share constructive comments and guidance.

How it works:

(The following is modified this year, 2022, because we need a new volunteer to keep this practice going.) We post the call to paint two or three days before the event (a bit later if the weather looks doubtful). Following the event, we try to post a recap, with photos of the place, the paintings, and the people.  If you subscribe for blog feeds, you will receive all postings by email.  The email feed typically is delivered around 2 PM Eastern Time. Anything posted after that time will not be delivered until the following day.

Come out and paint with us. We will look forward to painting together.