It really was the "end of the line" (in 1863): My latest painting!

Thought I'd never get to posting here again. It's just been that kind of month. Nevertheless, I have been working on my pastel painting when the opportunity permits, and what I've posted here is by no means the extent of my output.

I'm so mindful of still being such a tyro in this medium. But I've been reading up, learning from the work of many good artists on WetCanvas. And, last weekend, I was quite fortunate to attend a pastel demo given by Raleigh artist Lori White. Lori was very generous with her time and expertise, and I came away from the session feeling I'd learned some really good stuff, and was more'n ready to put it to use.

I'm also looking into some workshops this Summer and early Fall, and have been hitting some of the local galleries in the meantime.

So, anyway... the first image here is a very historic one: Little Round Top at the southern end of Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. You are looking from the position occupied by the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment on July 2nd, 1863. Forming the extreme left flank of the beleaguered Union Army line, the 20th Maine, commanded by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, had withstood relentless attacks by Alabama Confederates. Having run out of ammunition and facing yet another attack, the men of the 20th managed to hold their ground only after a daring bayonet charge down this hill. This event, one of the most pivotal of the entire Civil War, was depicted wonderfully in the film Gettysburg (with Jeff Daniels as Col. Chamberlain).

The second image you see here is a view of the old market, looking from above, in Norwich, Norfolk, East Anglia, where I have been a few times. It was a rather ambitious project, considering I didn't have much of a pastel assortment when I started it, but I persevered (like the 20th Maine) until the picture was finished. Not great, but still pretty cool, if I do say.

Can't wait to get on the next painting. Coming up: An English Pastoral... with sheep and ever'thang!

Copyright ©2008 by Rick Koobs