Belle Boyd Pretty or Plain?

Bell Boyd... Pretty or Plain?
When on the Civil War track an artist can study thousands of characters whose faces glare out from the history books and shout "Me! Study Me! and then there are those who quietly glance off to the side and wait patiently until some one flips the page and says "Who is this?" So was the case one day when this artist was reading along and came upon the portrait of Belle Boyd Confederate Spy! Upon reading of her many exploits I was surprised to learn that she was not pretty. What an interesting attribute I thought. So began the search for more images and finally I decided to paint her picture and see for myself. Using period photographs of the day I realized The long exposures (12-15 seconds) reveal quite a bit of character that was delivered in the quarter minute visit with the lens. Even after repeated attempts I could not find the woman not pretty, not that she was beautiful but that she just wasn't not pretty. But I do admit that her photograph did have some kind of ability to stop me and make me want to get involved. So is this the power of a women who could become a Confederate spy. I think perhaps so.

Using the standard famous pose for Belle I carefully consulted all other photos I could find before finally arriving at the image I produced. When upon showing this painting at various Civil War Art salons I was told that I had been very kind to Belle. I replied that I had really been fair. I wondered if I would divulge any Yankee secrets to her if she sent me a thank you letter. I am grateful I will not have to deal with this. Incidentally I was reading some more about Belle Boyd recently and was amused that the author remarked what a pretty women she was known to be......

A View from Scotchtown

The hot hazy summer of 10 has made it difficult to work on vistas here in the Hudson Valley but a favored painting place of mine is usually available during my travels and I took advantage of a clear day recently to stop and do a field sketch. The view is long here reaching across the town of Wallkill towards Warwick and beyond. I am never disappointed at this stop and have enjoyed the many moods this place provides. it is not hard to notice the change and growth around this place, but a historian does not have any trouble locating the historic hamlet which remarkably contains many of its original buildings. The historic cemetery atop this hill is a constant thru time and one can view the gravestones of some of the original settlers and sadly enough, even a few friends. I know I will return and try another day but one of the great rewards of roadside field studies is the capture of "Sense of Place" which I believe I accomplished this particular day. I am pleased to offer this "view from Scotchtown"
6x8 oil on board

Portraits of Millie and Bugsy, some Irish Dogs....

A recent trip to Ireland provided some fantastic possibilities for landscape paintings. Also I was very glad to make some canine acquaintances whom were more than glad to pose for me. Millie is from Naas, and I'm told she was not content during the day until this small portal was created for her in the gate. So here she is on post waiting for her masters return.
Bugsy from Baltinglas is a great little dog who can literally watch you by the hour. Always ready for the next activity, Here he is in one of his classic occupations, Riding the Sunbeam. These are a preview of some works which I am putting together for an upcoming show.I hope you enjoyed them. Kevin

Blue Jackets Manual

Blue Jackets Manual is a 6x8 oil still life study completed in my studio as my Daughter was completing Navy Boot Camp this Summer.This example is from the 1950's and inside it describes that the US Navy will now be accepting females as full Sailors in the fleet. My Daughter has been issued her very own modern copy of this manual. While painting this I was reminded of the strong Naval tradition in which we are now taking part of as a family.
I will very proud to include this piece in my upcoming show for the Veterans Administration in Middletown NY in Sept and October.I hope everyone can come and see.

Windham Works

The weekend past was spent at the Catskill Mountain Town of Windham NY for the annual Civil War music and art festival. This festival is a great time, attracting some of the biggest names in Civil War music and art working today. The gathering as it is fondly called brings together the likes of authors, filmmakers, musicians, researchers, artists all very pleased to share their works with each other and the public. I was able to take a break from the event and do some oil sketching near the town and captured these two views.The Catskills loom large here and the elevation makes for some striking August sunsets.I feel like I got a taste of something here but would like to return and pursue the large land masses and the light effects the area provides.I have spent countless days in the trout streams of the western part of the range but sense a whole different effect at Windham. "Sunset at Windham" on a 6x8 panel describes the strong light but fast fleeting to say the least. The following "last light" is a quick sketch before total darkness perhaps 20 min.total. I believe I will revisit these works in the near future to see where they may be taken.

Along the old Canal

The Canal Bridge Pool:

The beautiful weather combined with good stream conditions is producing some great early season trout fishing. The lower Neversink River is recovering nicely from the floods of the past few years and we are seeing strong Caddis and Hendrickson hatches. The trout are doing their part and are responding nicely to well presented flies. Hence forth my absence from my post the last few weeks as it is time to be on the river. This painting in oils of the the old D&H Canal bridge at Cuddebackville reveals an angler enjoying the sport.This popular spot receives alot of fishing pressure and is overlooked by many as "fished out" but it is the home to some lunker browns..... also it is a great place to try for shad,which I heard yesterday have entered the river. Enjoy Spring and get out on the River.

My Personal Wood Ducks?

My Personal Wood Ducks?

Ask me which waterfowl is my favorite and I will have a tough time giving an answer.But if my art portfolio is any gauge, most would agree I have a thing for Wood Ducks. Who could blame me? I dont think I ever get tired of them.The Drake of the species has to be one of the most beautiful birds on earth.

Wood Duck people are having some good years latley as their numbers have soared, Not bad for a bird whom once seemed in serious trouble. Good sound management and tight restrictions on gunning have helped but our recognition of their proper nesting sites has been the key. The land abandonment practice which began at the beginning of the 20th century has allowed for the reforesting of much of the Northeast and provided plenty of trees which these birds love to use as nesting sites. I was surprised to learn how far from water these ducks will go to nest and how high above ground. The most amazing thing is the Duckling leap. This free fall to earth is instrumental to their development and Hatchlings deprived of this experience will not survive. Talk about tough love!

The Drake wood Duck is a very giving bird. As a game bird they are fast on the wing, When added to the game bag they are always sketched and studied, Their flank feathers are collected and used to tie the Famous Catskill Fly Patterns. These feathers are so valued for their effectiveness that at least one of the fathers of American Fly Tying ( RUBE CROSS) was actually jailed for possession of wood duck feathers when these birds were protected. They are excellent on the table as well!

Yesterday I witnessed a courtship flight which terminated with a pair of Woodies hanging in one of my trees all day. I hope they are nesting, It wood be nice to have a personal Wood Duck Family.