It took me a while to screw up the courage to tackle this painting. Part of me wants to do it again bigger. I actually think it would be easier if painted larger… like twice it’s current size. It is 10″ high by 30″ wide. There are just so many little bits to this thing.

Took my reference photo at Colonial Williamsburg on Veteran’s Day 2019. I was actually attending the Figurative Arts Conference and Expo that week, but on the very first day, when everyone was gathering together, Colonial Williamsburg had a really nice event to honor the Veterans. Part of that involved this group of interpreters who fired off a cannon.

So here are all the progress photos starting with the reference photo:

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There was a day in there to stretch and stain the canvas and I counted Day 1 as the day I transferred the image. Day 6 was today and I am declaring it finished.

I tried out some new techniques with this one including using a bunched up rubber glove to apply paint to designate the “leaves” on the fall-colored trees at either end and I used the edge of a slide to put in the little highlighted edges of the picket fence by dipping it in paint.

Now, I need to order a frame. If I still worked for the state government, I would hang this one behind my desk, I think.

If you would like to hang this painting in your home or office, it is for sale: $1000 framed, plus shipping. It will be at my studio until I can get it framed and then on display at the RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock, Virginia.