A Walk in the Park

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

One of the paintings for "A Walk in the Park" event at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, 

Brentwood, on Oct 30 from 1-5 PM.

If you're looking for a nice, short hike, Smith Park in Brentwood, TN has a lot to offer. There is a lot of varying terrain, from open fields to rocky climbs. The portion of the trail painted here was especially nice. It was a loose-gravel limestone path which meandered from a warm sunny overlook down into a minty-cool patch of evergreens. You could feel the temperature drop as you walked though it. All the while, the sun dazzled and danced through the trees.

Smith Park is one of Middle Tennessee's best kept secrets. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend you give these amazing trails a try.

Shady Spot and A Place of Renewal and Reflection

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click Here to Purchase

Today's post is a shady sycamore painted en plein air for the Chestnut Group art event benefiting the Harpeth River Watershed. 

Painting outdoors is always a renewing experience. But this spot was particularly special for me. This tree lives by a pond on a farm which used to belong to the Christian/Pop singer Amy Grant. Back in the 90s, she hosted regular music/worship events in the barn on her farm. As a college student, I went to a couple of those events. They were very renewing for my faith life at that time. Returning over 20 years later to that same space as a painter gave me a lot to think about. I thought about where I've been and where I am now as both a person of faith and as an artist. I have much to be thankful for. I'm thankful for the gifts of renewing moments. I'm thankful for the gift of art and what it has done for my life. I'm thankful for the simple gifts of shady spots in nature—resting beside still waters. And most importantly, I'm thankful for a loving and patient God who gives all of those gifts and so much more.




You can learn more about the Chestnut Group event "Scenes of the Harpeth" here:

Scenes of the Harpeth

Sycamore In Spring

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

I love Sycamore trees. I call them "Lightning Trees" because their stark, white, branches look like a bolts of lightning to me. I have been itching to paint one for some time now. I finally got my chance while painting with the The Chestnut Group for the Cumberland on Canvas event. 

We will be sharing and selling our paintings for the Cumberland River Compact April 17 and 18. Details are in the attachments below.

Verdant Reflections

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Here is another painting from Tims Ford Lake. (to see others, just click "lake" on the search list to the right.) This painting was on a particularly calm day. The afternoon reflections on the still water were long and bold. A great day to paint reflections.

Witness Tree

11"x14" Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

“Reflections: 150 Years Later,” 

Art Show Benefiting The Battle of Franklin Trust

This year, I have joined a plein air painters alliance called The Chestnut Group. A portion of the group’s sales are donated to the preservation of fragile local environments and historical properties. This painting is for an upcoming show benefiting The Battle of Franklin Trust.

On November 30, 1864, the Civil War came to Franklin with great cost. One of the key locations in this tragedy is the Carnton plantation which served as the area’s largest army field hospital. 

This tree, on the adjacent property of Windermere, witnessed the horrific events of that terrible day.  Its curved trunk, twisted branches, knots, holes and fallen top bear witness to a long life of moments—both joyous and tragic. Trees like this have many stories to tell, and are living monuments to events we should never forget.

If you are in the area, come and see the show and meet the wonderful and very talented Chestunts.