As a young landscape painter in the north, I picked up and followed the course set by Thomas Cole, the father of American landscape. From the Hudson River School to the transcendentalists to the American Impressionist George Inness I learned how to explore nature and the elements that make up a great landscape painting. I also learned how landscape painting could be used to manifest a destiny, promote travel and tourism, to see God in nature and even impress Congress enough to make Yellowstone our 1st National Park.
I began to understand why that beloved era of American landscape fell out of favor. It was then my turn to pioneer the spirit and the only idea worth keeping alive came from Thomas Cole’s 1836 statement, “Landscape with Dead Trees.” He wrote, “The painter of American scenery has, indeed, privileges superior to any other. All nature here is new to art.”
When I came south in 1994, I realized that the south has not shared this great landscape tradition yet, unknown to most, is home to some of the most extraordinary and diverse places in the country. So began my idea that through painting I was free to explore and gather as much information about the natural wonders of Georgia as I could. Then to exhibit portions of this work as I completed it to further contribute a much-needed bridge between nature and newness in art.
I began to understand why that beloved era of American landscape fell out of favor. It was then my turn to pioneer the spirit and the only idea worth keeping alive came from Thomas Cole’s 1836 statement, “Landscape with Dead Trees.” He wrote, “The painter of American scenery has, indeed, privileges superior to any other. All nature here is new to art.”
When I came south in 1994, I realized that the south has not shared this great landscape tradition yet, unknown to most, is home to some of the most extraordinary and diverse places in the country. So began my idea that through painting I was free to explore and gather as much information about the natural wonders of Georgia as I could. Then to exhibit portions of this work as I completed it to further contribute a much-needed bridge between nature and newness in art.
