Early Summer Hay

8" x 10" oil on RayMar panel painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 25th (completed at 9:30am) - $85 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
The hayfields in Tunnel Hill have offered an endless source of painting ideas this early Summer. Every time I visit the property, I'm struck with a sense of quiet and peaceful existence. The shadows are always deep with purples playing against the yellow/orange of the hay. It's a wonderful palette to behold.
Next weekend (September 6th and 7th) the property will be the site of the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. This year our location will also host the "Tunnel Hill Battle" paintout in conjunction with the International Plein Air Painters' "Worldwide Paintout".

directions to the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" reenactment

As promised, here are driving directions to the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" (GA) Civil War reenactment to be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7th. Gates open at 9:00am. Admission is $5. Gates close at 4:00pm.

Coming south from Chattanooga, TN, on I-75, take exit #345 (Ringgold/Tunnel Hill). At the end of the ramp, turn right (south) onto Hwy 41. Drive 3.9 miles --- watch the speed limits, THEY MEAN IT. Turn left onto Oak Street. Stay straight for .3 mile. Event parking is on the right.

Coming north from Atlanta, GA, on I-75, take exit # 336 (Dalton/Rocky Face). At the bottom of the ramp, turn left (north) onto Hwy 41. Drive 5.0 miles. Turn right onto Oak Street. Stay straight for .3 mile. Event parking is on the right.

My art group, the Art Alliance of North Georgia, is sponsoring a paint-out during the event. It's in conjunction with the International Plein Air Painters "Worldwide Paintout". Hope you can drop in and visit.

Chickamauga Battlefield Trail

10" x 8" oil on linen panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on June 16th (completed around 9:30am) - $85 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase. Sandra and I painted in Chickamauga Battlefield Park that cool morning, but the temperature was climbing fast. This trail is used by hikers, bikers and people on horseback as they explore the many acres of this beautiful Northwest Georgia park. The red Georgia clay appeared with lots of pink that morning - so that's how I painted it.

Tunnel Hill Battle paintout

"The Art Alliance of North Georgia" is inviting plein air painters to participate in the premier Tunnel Hill Battle Paintout to be held during the annual Battle of Tunnel Hill (GA) Civil War reenactment on September 6th (Saturday) and 7th (Sunday). This is in conjunction with the International Plein Air Painters' World Wide Paintout.

For more information, please contact BJ Wright at beejw@charter.net.

Cool Green

8" x 10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air on July 9th & 12th - $85 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase -
It's always exciting to start a painting and return to the same site on another day to complete it. Even at the same time of day, there is always a difference in lighting and atmosphere. This was painted on a Wednesday and completed the following Saturday - just a few days apart, but it had rained on Thursday causing the water to take on an olive tone.

Fort Keys Hay

8" x 10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on June 24th (completed around 9:45am)...$85 including shipping but NOT including frame...contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
The sweet smell of newly cut hay drew me to this spot on the Tunnel Hill battlefield. Cool shadows played on the little gravel road and the mountain cast its shadow on the hayfield.

It won't be too long until the Civil War reenactors set up their tents under the big oak tree here at Fort Keys. Preparations are already being made for the Battle of Tunnel Hill.

Unexpected Visitors

10" x 8" oil on RayMar panel painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 14th ( completed around 11:15) - $85 including shipping (NOT including frame) - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
Sandra and I were painting scenes in the East pasture. I was almost finished with the foreground tree when the heron landed on a lower limb and stayed just long enough for me to put him into the painting. Just before I signed my name in the wet paint, a cow wandered through the scene looking for a mid-morning snack. She was soon gone. These unexpected visitors added a bit of whimsey.