Ocean Galleries welcomes the renowned Canadian-Lebanese Impressionist, Samir Sammoun, to Stone Harbor over Memorial Day weekend for his first ever exhibition in the seashore community. The new exhibit, “Master Impressionist,” will feature more than 70 of his original oil paintings including many seascapes, landscapes, and cityscapes.
“Samir Sammoun – Master Impressionist” is open throughout Memorial Day weekend, with the artist making gallery appearances at receptions from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 2019. The exhibition, which is open daily from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, and 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Monday, is free, with all artwork on display available for acquisition.
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“Samir Sammoun – Master Impressionist”
Samir Sammoun began painting oils at the young age of 13, inspired by the beautiful landscapes of his native Joun, Lebanon, particularly his family’s 1,000-year-old olive plantation. Samir studied at the Ecole des Arts et Métiers in Beirut, where he graduated in 1969. He then emigrated to Montreal, Quebec at 21 years of age, where he obtained an electronic engineering degree, followed by a Master’s degree in telecommunications. While he pursued a career as a telecommunications engineer, his passion for painting grew and he simultaneously launched a second career as a professional artist. Ultimately, his love for art combined with his immense talent dictated his path, as his colorful and masterful paintings brought admiration from collectors in Canada, Lebanon, the U.S., and around the world.
Poppies and Sun, 30×24, Copyright Samir Sammoun 2019
Samir’s impressionistic art has been compared to some of the great Masters, most often, to Van Gogh, as well as Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro. Like Van Gogh, Sammoun completes his paintings in one sitting, using bold, dramatic brush strokes that evoke a sense of movement. Similar to that of Renoir, many of Samir’s works are identifiable by the use of bright colors and bold lines, and often focused on outdoor scenes of landscapes and seascapes. Sammoun best describes his style, “When I paint, I want the person to feel the same way that I did when I was at the place. I want them to feel the atmosphere, the temperature, the air – and enjoy the scene as I did, living in it, standing there – not looking from the window. I want to take you from where you are and put you in the fields, or on the coast to truly experience the moment.”
Many of Samir’s paintings were inspired by his family’s olive farm, where he still visits annually at harvest season to pick olives and bring back luscious olive oil. In addition to the olive, poppies, and landscape scenes inspired by his Lebanon roots, Samir finds inspiration in other places he visits and resides, from Quebec to the coasts of Sunny Isles, Florida.
Philadelphia, View from the Museum of Fine Art, 30×30, Copyright Samir Sammoun 2019
The new collection of art that Samir has created for his first-time exhibition at Ocean Galleries will include numerous pieces created specifically for the Stone Harbor exhibit, including many beach scenes, and regional cityscapes from New York and Philadelphia. And like Samir, each one of his paintings has a big personality, full of bright colors, strong and energetic, yet peaceful.
“We have admired Samir’s artwork for a long time and are delighted to be sharing this exceptional collection of paintings with our gallery-goers,” said Ocean Galleries owner Kim Miller. “It’s hard to describe in words the feelings that his paintings evoke – but it is the same feeling I’ve had when in the presence of artwork by the great Masters artists. This is going to be an amazing exhibition!
“Samir Sammoun – Master Impressionist” will be at Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor throughout Memorial Day weekend. Guests can meet the charming artist from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26. The free exhibition is open daily from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, and 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Monday. All artwork in the collection is available for acquisition.
Manifestation, 30×24, Copyright Samir Sammoun 2019
In addition to an extraordinary collection of artwork and custom-framing, Ocean Galleries also offers a variety of hand-made crafts from local, regional, and national artists in America, such as glass, pottery, jewelry, and furniture. All summer exhibitions take place at the Stone Harbor location of Ocean Galleries (9618 Third Avenue). Ocean Galleries also has an Avalon, NJ location at 2199 Ocean Drive. For seasonal hours at both gallery locations, visit Ocean Galleries Locations
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“Samir Sammoun – Master Impressionist”
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