"General Stonewall Jackson in Moonlight" (watercolor on Yupo; 8" x 8")

matted size: 12" x 12"
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The equestrian statue of General Stonewall Jackson, the Civil War hero, is located at Jackson Park in the Old Town of Charlottesville, VA.  I have painted the statue before in oil in the overcast, late afternoon light.  I thought I would try it again, this time in watercolor on Yupo.

Gone are the lush spring growth in the background as well as the stone stand, on which the horse and rider are standing.  I also conjured up an indigo blue sky--a dark, somber atmosphere that somehow seems to befit the hero who died tragically young.

As the paints don't behave as politely on Yupo as the artist wishes, I had to spray off the sky with the atomizer several times.  The statue and sky melted together in some areas, making them all mysterious.  The moon appeared behind the general too. Interesting!  Finally I restored the darks on the statue that had been washed away.  I really like the new painting!  What do you say?

"General Stonewall Jackson's Equestrian Statue"
(oil, 14" x 11"; sold)

"Gen. Stonewall Jackson's Equestrian Statue" (oil on linen; 14" x 11") sold

sold

Reference Photo

During my daughter's spring break, my family visited Charlottesville, VA. In the Old Town, we came across General Stonewall Jackson's equestrian statue at Jackson Park. There was no parking available, so I took a shot as quickly as possible from across the street. It was an overcast day; the lighting was somewhat flat. I still liked the eager gait of the general and his mount, so I decided to make a painting.

At the outset, I thought about making the sky as the background by getting rid of the building and trees so that the statue would stand out.  But there was a big concern for a lack of depth with such a treatment.  The building and trees went in, which was after all a good decision.  

"Gen. Stonewall Jackson's Equestrian Statue" is meant to be a companion piece for "Gen. Robert E. Lee's Equestrian Statue" and has a different feel from the earlier painting.  What I like about the new painting is the energetic brushstrokes and smidgens of pinkish underpainting showing throughout the statue.  The energy of the painting goes well with the young, heroic general, who seems to be going some place with purpose. 

"Gen. Robert E. Lee's Equestrian Statue" (oil, 14" x 11")
sold

"Gen. Robert E. Lee's Equestrian Statue" (oil on linen; 14" x 11") sold

sold

Reference photo

If you read my blog regularly, you may recall that during my daughter's spring break, my family visited Charlottesville, VA. In the Old Town, we came across this equestrian statue of General Robert E. Lee at Lee Park. It had been a cloudy day, but luckily the sun came out just in time to cast gentle shadows on the handsome monument.

I had first considered a different view for the painting as you can see below.  This picture shows more of the park, which was fragrant with irises, viburnum, lilac, and other spring flowers.  The park square was so enchanting that I didn't want to leave the place!

Lee Park in Charlottesville, VA in springtime

I am not a Civil War buff.  As the Civil War was, to say the least, a defining moment in American history, I would have loved to be able to intelligently speak about it with some accuracy.  All I know about Robert E. Lee is that he was an honorable man and the commander in chief of the Confederacy.  I can't say I sympathize with his cause.  If I say that I wish he had fought on the Union side, I am sure it would be a heresy to some.  As I was painting the monument, Lee's body gesture came across to me as if he was saying  that "I wish this burden had not come to me."  Altogether, it was a poignant experience to paint "Gen. Robert E. Lee's Equestrian Statue."