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.