Featured Artwork: Above the Valley

This chalk drawing, Summer Shadows is
believed to be "The Manse" in Heath (MA) Center

From RSW's Ledger Notes:

"Mrs. Moors' yard in Heath."

Mrs. Ethal Paine Moors, a descendent of signer of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Paine, and her financier, banker, broker, husband John Farwell Moors, owned a home in Heath, MA, referred to as The Manse. It was their summer home.

Mrs. Moors were good friends with the White sisters, Flora and Mary, as well as, sisters Winfred and Edith Rhoades. All of which were friends of Woodward. In fact, the White sisters often accompanied RSW on his painting excursions to picnic and spend the day with him.

Springfield Union, April 1928,
by Jeanette Matthews

Springfield Union, April 1928, by Jeanette Matthews ⮞

"....here is a woven pattern of colors on the hills of such beauty as most of us never get in full until it is set down for us to dream about. And it is rarely set down in this manner. You must see the lacelike delicacy of this web of color to carry a new joy into your hill-climbing this summer."

Springfield Daily Republican, Springfield, MA.,
Sat. April 28, 1928 ⮟

"...a view of opalescent hills beyond a lone ancient oak."

According to the diary comment by RSW, this painting was from the backyard of Mrs. Moor in Heath. Woodward would later buy a property and build a studio in Heath and painting multiple landscapes featuring a wind blown Beech Tree and the hills in the distance.

Uncited Clipping: March 14, 1928,
for the Littlecote Gallery Exhibit, Utica, NY

⮝ Exhibited at the Littlecote Gallery, Utica, NY March 14, 1929 and mentioned specifically in the articles to the above.

♦ Above the Valley is one of 5 pieces of work to exhibit at both J. H. Miller Co. Galleries, and Littlecote Gallery,.