Woodmansey Artist-In-Residence October 2024

 This is my last day in Tennessee. I had an 11 AM ZOOM research seminar with the endo residents at OHSU, which disjointed my day. Even so, I was able to create this image. I want to thank the Stones River National Battlefield and ALL of the individuals that I encountered here this week for thier gracious hospitality. I had a great time!

 This morning, I returned to the spot where I painted on Tuesday. I returned there because that site seemed to create the most interaction with passersby, which I enjoy. I reflected again on my encounter Tuesday, when a woman stopped her car and offered to donate money to me. At first, I wondered if I looked like a starving artist? Upon deeper reflection I became emotional. I was touched by the generosity of this obviously un-wealthy woman. Just when I have almost given up on humanity, someone like her touches me and makes me again appreciate human kindness. I set up my easel and began to paint. Today I faced different direction than I positioned on Tuesday. This was my first image. It was loosely based on the tree and the trail I was working beside; however, with a more interesting sky. When I look at this image now, I think the middle section could use a little more detail… especially that purplish area. I realized that I had painted this image upside down such that because it is...

Because I was a bit chilled yesterday wearing short pants, I wore long pants today. I again towed my wagon 1/3 mile away from the visitor center parking lot and found a space for my easel along where a pedestrian-only road intersects with a gravel walking trail. This is the pedestrian-only road. This is the gravel walking trail. Here is my easel set up and ready for work. It was a bit breezy, so I had to use some blue tape to keep my sign from blowing over. There was an old tree stump about 15 feet away from my easel along a cedar rail fence line, so I decided to paint that scene. My location may not have been ideal because it had dappled sunlight which created shadows on my image. The shadows made it hard for me to clearly see what I was doing. Even so, I was too lazy to move my easel. I enjoyed the shade. It was too hot in the sunlight. This was the completed image of the stump and fence. You can see that I secure my paper to a cardboard base using blue painters tape, which is ultima...

 It was chilly this morning, so I waited until about 10:00 AM before I went to the battlefield. I towed my wagon of art supplies about 1/3 of a mile along a trail to a spot in the middle of a battlefield site. I selected this site because it was accessible, level, mowed, and with a decent shade tree. In December of 1862, this one field had 30,000 soldiers engaged in combat! It's hard to imagine. In the distance of the lower image here, you can see the battlefield cemetery. I started painting, and this is what developed from the initially blank page. the inspiration came from the trail that I was set up beside. The perspective isn't perfect, but these are exercises to help me practice.    Next, I attempted a more figurative and representational image. My goal was to depict a union soldier. I have difficulty representing the human form. This image was taken by a passerby. I was able to interact with numerous individuals today because I was set up so close to the trail. Surp...

  At my hotel's breakfast today I found this napkin and was inspired to use it like a canvas with a sharpie pen. Today was a beautiful day. I arrived at the Battlefield around 10 AM and set up my easel near the visitor center under the shade of a large oak tree. Earlier this morning, I had been reviewing some watercolor images of Charles M. Russell. Russell was a famed western artist who had a studio in my hometown: Great Falls, Montana. He painted in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This morning I was looking at some of his watercolor sketches – – many of them were labeled "studies", and illustrated how he practiced creating images of things like undergrowth, people, animals, trees, etc. Some of those rough "studies" appear similar to my images. These are the first two images I created today. This image attempted to replicate the view I had from my easel, looking across the open field at the distant forest. I think I'm much better at creating imaginary land...

Today was my first day as "artist in residence" at Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Murfreesboro is a southern suburb of Nashville, TN.  Last night, I flew into Nashville, rented a car and checked into the TRU by Hilton hotel in Murfreesboro, a mile away from the Battlefield. I had twin 43# suitcases filled with my art supplies, my easel, and my folding transport wagon. My hotel is adequate. I got a good night sleep. The battlefield actually offers accommodations to artists in residence, but they are currently under repair. Even so, I'm happy to be at a reputable hotel after becoming infested with fleas last year when I was artist in residence at a different national park. This morning, I enjoyed the hotel's buffet breakfast. I'm fascinated by the automated pancake-making machines at these hotels. After breakfast, I loaded my gear into the rental car and made a quick stop at Walmart. I purchased a $15 folding stool. I couldn't fit ...