Tunnel Hill paint out

Each year the Art Alliance of North Georgia participates in a paint out during the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. We have a tent for artwork display and another as an artists' base of operations. Several wet paintings...done right on site...were sold (much to the delight of the artists).

A Land Apart

9"x12" oil, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 8th (completed at 12:10pm)...$120 (including shipping but NOT the frame)...This was painted a few days before the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. I popped it into this frame for display at our Art Alliance of North Georgia tent.

please try to ignore the glare

Tunnel Hill Battle Paintout

We'll be painting both days at the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" --- and you're invited to join us!
Two tents are already set up for the artists - one is for display of artwork done onsite and the other is a base of operations.
There is no participation fee except for the $5 main gate entry.
The Tunnel Hill Historical Foundation has graciously allowed us to set up (FREE) - so we're asking each artist to make a donation to the THHF. This can be a percentage of any artwork sales or another amount determined by each artist.
For more information, please contact me at beejw@charter.net
or call 706-270-1626.

Sunny September Morning

8"x10", oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 8, '09...$85 including shipping...I realized that this late morning painting of a Tunnel Hill (GA) meadow had not been posted here. I've painted this scene dozens of times and each time it's fresh and different.

July Afternoon Late

12"x9" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 4 (completed at 8:10pm)...$135 including shipping...Since I'm usually painting outdoors during morning hours, the idea of painting in the afternoon took a bit of adjustment. The light and shadows play differently and I could quickly run out of daylight...just in time for a nocturnal painting.

July Afternoon Late

12"X9" oil, plein air painting in progress...I got a call to meet an artist friend around 6:00pm at the Tunnel Hill Civil War battlefield this afternoon. Since I'm accustomed to painting during morning hours, I thought it would be great to catch the setting sun on the hay bales scattered about.

The Civil War in Four Minutes

Sometimes I'm asked why Southern people still talk about the Civil War. "It's over, forget it," they say. I explain that we remember it because our ancestors fought, and many died, almost 150 years ago. We remember it because it was fought here in the South - on the very land we walk on. We remember it not because of hatred, but because of heritage.

My great-great grandfather was a Georgia Confederate soldier then. He returned from the war and helped raise my grandfather. Maybe that's why I'm here today????? My great grandmother, who lived to be 101, once told me (as a child) that she remembered hearing cannon fire when she was 4 years old.

If you think about it, in the grand scheme of things, it hasn't been that long ago. We remember - lest we forget.

Please take four minutes to watch this video...http://www.maniacworld.com/civil-war-in-four-minutes.html

Waiting

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on September 20th 2009 (completed at 1:05pm)...$85 including shipping...The annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment weekend was rainy, muddy and overcast. But that didn't dampen the spirits of the artists who painted onsite both days. This painting shows one of the many sutlers who braved the elements.

Tunnel Hill Battle paintout

It rained several days before and both days of the Tunnel Hill Battle paintout. But we were undaunted and painted anyway. Our paintout was part of the Worldwide Paintout sponsored by International Plein Air Painters.
I had other duties, so this is the only painting I completed. Here is a web album of other artists at work...
http://picasaweb.google.com/beejw1a/BattleOfTunnelHill09?feat=directlink

Worldwide Paintout 2009 in Tunnel Hill, GA

As part of the International Plein Air Painters' World Wide Paintout, the Art Alliance of North Georgia is sponsoring the "Tunnel Hill Battle Paintout" during the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment on September 19th & 20th. For driving directions, see more information in the sidebar to the right. And for photos of last years event, see the web album at http://picasaweb.google.com/beejw1a/THWorldwidePaintout?feat=directlink

Namesake - SOLD

6"x6"x1 1/4" oil on gallery wrap canvas, painted en plein air, alla prima, on August 18th (completed at 10:30am)...SOLD....The historic tunnel that gave Tunnel Hill (GA) its name is a breathtaking monument to the determination of the human spirit. More information can be found at http://www.tunnelhillheritagecenter.com/. You'll also find information about the annual Civil War reenactment held in Tunnel Hill.

Among the Tree Shadows

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 17th...completed at 9:30am...$85 including shipping. The house hidden behind the trees is the Clisby Austin House, located in Tunnel Hill GA. The adjoining property hosts the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment in September. As shown in the painting, the hay was ready for mowing. I'll return soon to capture the bales.

reflections, insights, etc.

I'm not a person who makes New Year's resolutions, but I do take time to redefine myself and look through fresh eyes occasionally. Working outside my comfort zone and painting with more insight, I hope to become a better painter. I've been self-limiting this year, but reflections on the past only serve to cast more light upon the future.

The subject of this plein air painting is an old oak tree situated on a knoll which overlooks a nearby Civil War battlefield. The tree has become a fixture in many of my paintings. It seems I'm captivated by Nature's light and how it plays across the area. Studying the tree has helped me 'see' rather than just 'look'. I'm always amazed at God's palette and how we mortals struggle to capture His works on canvas.

Sutler Tents

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 7th, during the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment - $85 including shipping -
Sunday morning sutlers were preparing their tents for customers - both reenactors and visitors. Fall colors were beginning to show in the trees as the morning sun streamed across the meadow. Eleven Southern plein air painters captured similar scenes during this weekend of the Worldwide Paintout.
For an explanation of the word "sutler", here's a link to Wikipedia.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutler

Meadowlawn Morning

11"x14" oil on stretched canvas, begun en plein air - still in process....
I've worked on this painting on three separate occasions, but it still isn't completed. It's been in my car more times than that....propped up in the back seat, taken out, viewed on this site, returned to its resting place to be reviewed again. I'm not sure what's going on, but I know the painting will tell me what it needs to be considered complete.
Once again the subject of a painting is Fort Keys, located at the Tunnel Hill battlefield. I've painted this clump of trees and rolling meadow numerous times, but it still holds endless possibilities.

Fort Keys Saturday

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 6th at the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment - $85 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
Early on Saturday morning reenactors began milling about making preparations for the upcoming battle. The smell of frying bacon still hung in the air. Behind me a small squad of young Confederates practiced their marching drills. Several folks stopped by to watch me paint. There were nods of approval - then they went on their way. It was a wonderful day spent at the battlefield with close artist friends as we captured scenes for remembrance.

Fort Keys Saturday
10" x 8" (25.4cm x 20.4cm)
Oil, en plein air, alla prima on RayMar panel
$80 plus $5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Fort Keys Waits

8" x 10" oil on Raymar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 3rd - completed at 10:30am - $85 including shipping - NOT including frame - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase
I painted this one on Wednesday before the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment on September 6th and 7th. As I was packing up, one of the reenactors drove past Fort Keys on the little road in the painting. The next day canvas tents were springing up all around, ready for the battle.

"Worldwide Paintout" in Tunnel Hill, GA

As part of the annual "Worldwide Paintout" publicized by International Plein Air Painters, we had a wonderful weekend at the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment in Northwest Georgia.
pictured front row (l-r) are Gretchen Allen, Allison Doke, and BJ Wright
back row - Phyllis Franklin, Cathy Cooksey, Cecil Warfel, Patti Vrobel, Shane McDonald, John B. Guernsey and Sandra Babb. We couldn't find Tim West - he was somewhere painting on the 83 acre property.
Both days were in the 90+ degrees, but we found plenty of shade and lots of interesting subjects for plein air painting. Everyone had such a good time that there's already talk about next year.

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.