Bringing the Natural World to Life

A retrospective show of paintings by Cornwall, Conn., artist Erica Prud’homme had opened at the Cornwall Library on March 7 — and then had closed almost immediately after because of the COVID-19 quarantine. 

The show has remained on the library walls in the interim, and is now available for viewing again (by appointment)  until July 15. 

The show includes canvases that Prud’homme chose from the course of her 20 years as a painter. 

The works range in size and subject matter but they mostly reflect her interest in the natural world’s repetitive patterns, showcased in oil paintings, watercolors, pastels and pencil drawings. 

The artist stressed that her source of inspiration varied for each piece in the exhibition. 

“Sometimes there is an inspiration, just something I see driving along, and occasionally there is something so beautiful I have to try and reproduce it, like a nasturtium plant and vine. 

“But at times, it is purely intellectual for me, like turning a human body into a landscape.”

Prud’homme was raised in Pennsylvania and then spent most of her adult life living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. In 1967, she and her husband, Hector, bought a place in Cornwall as a weekend home. 

“I grew up in Lumberville in Bucks County, Pa., which was much like Cornwall:  green farm fields, the Delaware River, and lots of artists,” Prud’homme said. 

“Hector and I started our married life in a tiny apartment on East 66th Street, both of us working.  I was an exhibition designer at the American Museum of Natural History, Hector worked at a bank. 

“When we started to have children, we moved to the West Side, where the rents were cheaper then and the spaces larger.”

A few years ago, the couple moved to Cornwall full-time.   

When asked how her art has evolved throughout her career, Prud’homme said, “I’m finally learning how to escape from being addicted to realism. I’m not becoming more abstract, but I no longer try to be so accurate, like I’m painting a photograph. Once you begin to paint reality and it’s too real, it just becomes dull.”   

To learn more about the show, go to the library’s website at www.cornwalllibrary.org and scroll down to Events/Programs. To schedule a visit, email director@cornwalllibrary.org or call the library at 860-672-6874.

A retrospective show of work by Erica Prud’homme can be seen at the  Cornwall Library until July 15. Photo submitted​

Erica Prud’homme Photo by Anabelle Baum​

A retrospective show of work by Erica Prud’homme can be seen at the  Cornwall Library until July 15. Photo submitted​

Latest News

HVRHS triple jumper places 9th in New England
Anthony Labbadia set a new HVRHS record with a 44-foot one-inch triple jump June 14. The distance earned him 9th place at the New England track and field championship, which this year was held in New Britain, Conn.
Photo by Riley Klein

NEW BRITAIN — Anthony Labbadia soared to 9th place in the triple jump at the 2025 New England track and field championships Saturday, June 14.

On his first attempt of the event he leaped 44 feet and one inch, qualifying for the finals and setting the new Housatonic Valley Regional High School record. The previous school record of 43 feet eight inches was set by Don Hurlbutt in 1967.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pirates go back-to-back as league champs

The Canaan Pirates pose as champions after defending the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title.

Photo by Riley Klein

THOMASTON The Canaan Pirates are champions once more.

In the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title game Friday, June 13, the Pirates defeated Thomaston JRC Transportation by a score of 6-2.

Keep ReadingShow less
Red Sox end season with comeback win

NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Red Sox ended the season with a thrilling 14-13 win over the Tri-Town Phillies Thursday, June 12.

Canaan trailed for most of the game but kept it close. Ultimately, the Red Sox secured the victory with a final-inning comeback in front of the home crowd at Steve Blass Field.

Keep ReadingShow less
State Rep. Horn injured in running accident

State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) was treated for her injuries at Sharon Hospital.

Photo by John Coston

The day after concluding what has been described as a grueling legislative session, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) had a running accident, leaving her with a broken pelvis and collarbone among other more minor bruises and abrasions. Despite the injuries, she is in good spirits and recuperating at home, eager to get back on her feet.

Horn said after spending weeks in the assembly hall, she was eager to get some outdoor exercise in, but perhaps pushed a little too hard too soon. She said she was excited to get a run in on the morning of Friday, June 6, but was still exhausted from her time in Hartford and in the final stretch of recovering from a meniscus repair surgery in December.

Keep ReadingShow less