Today was a beautiful day in Pilesgrove, NJ! It was sunny, warm...........and the rolling countryside was so very green, too! As beautiful as the day was outside, once I stepped into the Fine Art Studio, the day became downright gorgeous!
It only took a brief moment for me to realize that visiting Alex Alampi, Jr. at his Studio of Fine Art was going to be a truly special time. For those of you who might not be aware, Alex is a watercolor artist who has been painting for 15 years. And let me tell you..............he's gooooood!!
I asked Alex what he would be doing if he wasn't painting. He answered, ' There is no second choice.' Alex believes he has a God-given talent and he would be a fool to waste it.
Nicely displayed around the gallery were images that seemed so recognizable to me. Lighthouses - fishing boats - holsteins - farmers - buoys - the spray of the Atlantic ocean against massive rocks - an inviting home in Cape May - and more. As a native of South Jersey, I must say his work.....these images.....were both relaxing and inspiring to me. What a great area we all live in! And how lucky for us that Alex Alampi, Jr. is capturing our neighbors and neighborhoods with his paintbrush.
Alex told me his favorite projects involve people. I saw several of his 'Working Portraits'. They are fascinating! Farmers with Jersey cows - cranberry farmers in the bogs - a veterinarian with one of his patients, among others. As Alex says, these are 'images reminiscent of a simpler time.' Although Alex enjoys painting a wide variety of subjects from the Delaware Bay area and the rural countryside where he grew up, his inspiration comes from those who still make a living from the land or water in the traditional manner of their forefathers. As a Salem County artist, Alampi believes in preserving our rural heritage, stating that he often feels a spiritual connection to the subjects he paints.
His current project has Alex following a group of glassblowers from Wheaton Village. I was fortunate to see the beginning stages of this piece.......it's going to be another winner! ( My boss' friend, Frank Stubbins, is front and center!)
'His crisp handling of the watercolor medium creates a beautiful combination of realism and painterly technique,' according to his Bio. Alampi is beginning to play with oils again and is actually looking forward to getting back into that medium.
Alex has studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of The Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PA and has taken workshops with some of the country's leading watercolor artists. His artwork is in private and corporate collections throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.
He was recently juried as a 'Signature Artist' of the Noyles Museum of Art, Oceanville, NJ and is a member of Gallery 50 in Bridgeton, NJ.
In addition to his work, Alampi teaches watercolor lessons monthly, year-round. In 2005, Alex and the members of his watercolor class founded the Salem County Art League where he served as the league's first President.
Alex's watercolors are exhibited at First Impressions Art Gallery in Salem, NJ and other local galleries, scheduled shows and invitationals throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. He also keeps busy with 'Working Portrait' commissions, guest appearances at local organizations, giving workshops and teaching.
As a special favor to me, Alex was kind enough to show me his work area. It was so organized, with all of his tools lined-up just so. The morning sun streamed in the windows. It was easy to imagine how peaceful it must be to work in such a lovely environment. I was impressed! It was in this room that I was privy to a few works-in-progress. What a treat!
So, I thank you Alex Alampi, Jr! For both the visit and the tour, but especially for the beautiful, touching artwork you create for all of us. My advice to my fellow South Jerseyans is to begin your collection of Alampi pieces TODAY! Your home and/or your office will feel so much better!
Visit Alex at his home gallery in the beautiful rural setting of Pilesgrove Township, NJ or check his schedule for upcoming exhibits.
email: info@alexalampi.com
website: www.alexalampi.com
submitted by Chris Hooks 5/1/2008
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Welcome Home! Take a moment to get to know some of our interesting neighbors. If you know of someone who has just moved into the community or has an interesting story to tell we would love to hear about it! 
