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Dorathy Langevin- Vermont Artist
(by Story and Photos By Maggie Kerrin - August 20, 2008)
Vermont is well known as being a home to many gifted writers and artists. We travel town to town, craft store to craft store, and gallery to gallery, to see the works that are created in our midst. The rolling hills, the greens of the grasses and trees, the puffy white clouds against clear blue sky, all bring inspiration to the gifts that lie within. From words, to canvas, to carvings, artistic talents flow, and our community is that much the richer for it.
Dorathy Langevin is one such artist. A painter, with a primary focus on mural art, she has spent numerous hours painting original works throughout New England. Her works can be seen locally in many central Vermont areas. Her murals decorate many Vermont businesses and Vermont homes. The walls of farm fruit and vegetable stands come alive, celebrating the artist within. Dorathy brings her passion and love of Vermont into her art, and adds even more beauty to a landscape that is already abundant.
I traveled with Dorathy last Saturday afternoon and was thrilled to have the opportunity, not only to view her works, but to converse with her about her love of the art, and her personal inspirations and perceptions of the world around her.
Dorathy is a native Vermonter who lived here for many years, leaving Vermont temporarily, and returning in recent years to find herself once again mesmerized by its beauty. It is her connection to the world around her and its beauty that inspires her and reaches into her soul to produce the works that can be viewed in so many central locations.
Our travels began in her hometown of North Fayston. Her long, wavy, dark hair and hints of a Native American heritage combine with a very open personality that instantly invites you into her world.
Our first stop on this artistic tour was at Gaylord Farms in Waitsfield, a local farm stand that caters to those who have a true Vermont appreciation for the freshness of farm and fruit products. Dorathy was commissioned to paint the front of the farm stand and it now proudly boasts of black bulls, brown cows, roosters, chickens, pigs, dogs, and pumpkins. Vines spiral down the front posts blending with the flowers growing in the front of the farm stand. A delight to all who enter, the Gaylord Farms mural can be viewed at their Waitsfield location. Directions can be found www.gaylordfarm.com. Gaylord Farm hours and other pertinent information can be found there also.
The next stop on our artistic journey was to a residence in Warren which hosts a room with walls crawling with the rhythmic poem of “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Created in pink, a happy spider travels from one corner of the room, across the four walls, almost dancing to the words of “The Itsy Bitsy Spider went up the water spout. Down came the rain and washed the spider out. Out came the sun and dried up all the rain. And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.” Along the spider’s journey we see dragonflies, heron, frogs, fish, and many more wild creatures all nearly dancing along in pastels. The room is merriment, painted by the spirit and imagery of Dorathy Langevin. Although this is a private mural and cannot be viewed by the public, we want to thank the owner for allowing us to bring a few sections of the pretty pink spider’s travels back for us all to see.
A third stop, and yet another aspect of Ms. Langevin’s artistic creativity, was set in a “man cave” at the home of one of her friends. The Arizona desert is firmly planted on a single wall that screams of Native American scenes and raw desert. Teepees, rattlers, coyote, hawk, and animal skulls left against barren desert immediately transport you to the glaring sun and the blazing heat of a rustic western landscape. The browns, oranges, and burning sun make you feel as it you’ve been transported across the country and you can almost hear the howl of the coyote, the piercing rattle of the snake, and the piercing screech of the hawk in the sky above. Because this mural also is a private commission, it is not available for public viewing, but we would like to thank this owner also for graciously agreeing to let us bring some of the artistic beauty back for everyone to see.
A fourth stop along the way was at the Center Bakery and General Store in Waterbury. This little shop hosts hummingbirds and morning glories, lightly decorating the interior of the store. Once inside, they drift with you along the top borders of the storeroom, and invite you to taste the amazing homemade snacks and treats, made right there at the store. Sugary cinnamon and raisin buns, huge homemade cookies, and all kinds of goodies await. This store welcomes you to come and view the mural pieces created by Dorathy, and also to check out the wonders they have there daily. For directions and other information regarding their store and the murals inside, please call the Center Bakery and General Store at 802-244-7500.
To complete our artistic tour we visited a final location called the Sunflower Store in Waterbury Center. The exterior of this business is an artistic mural that hosts sunflowers, chickadees, and owls. This theme covers the entire front of the building and is a warm and friendly welcome to the store itself. Inside, more of Dorathy’s works can be found on both the first and second floor of this health food shop. The inviting feeling of warmth is like summertime all year long. You find yourself surrounded by the colors of summer as the sunflowers cover the walls. The dragonflies weave amongst the blossoms, all surrounding you in an atmosphere of health and happiness. Little of the interior or exterior is clear of the effects of Dorathy’s paintbrush. To view the art at this location, please email for directions at sunflower2934@verizon.net.
We often think of art as mere gallery collections, but Dorathy Langevin has taken her art to us. It is literally waiting for us to come, and not only view it, but walk amongst it and feel it surround you. It is an experience for both young and old. It is a glimpse of the woman behind the brush strokes and the beauty she sees and feels within. A reflection of the beauty of our state that surrounds her and has become a solid piece of who she is.
All are welcome to tour the public locations that host Dorathy’s mural artwork. If you would like to discuss the commissioning of a mural painting by Dorathy Langevin, she can be reached at 802-496-2849.
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