“Winter on the James” plein air painting
8 01 2008This is a view of the James River that I painted today on location at the Hollywood Cemetery in my town, Richmond, Virginia:
“Winter on the James”
Oil on canvas, 9×12″ (WIP)
I actually love old cemeteries any way, but the Hollywood Cemetery is one of Richmond’s landmarks and a major tourist attraction in our town. Not only is it the burial place of two presidents and several prominent figures in civil war history, but, as the website points out, it is also incredibly beautiful.
The cemetery sits on a bluff overlooking the James River, and is filled with over 2000 trees of many varieties (some of them quite large, and older than the 1847-founded cemetery itself.) In fact, even though we have a number of beautiful parks in Richmond, Hollywood Cemetery is the location that kind of reminds me of a mini Central Park. People go there to meditate, pray, visit loved ones who have passed, but also to write, walk their dogs and just wander the grounds.Today, I went there to paint.
The day started out as a nice, sunny, and unusually warm winter day. But shortly after I got there, I soon found that my “perfect” spot on a bluff overlooking the James River had the disadvantage of getting whipped into a frenzy by the wind! I really did have to cut this session short. The piece needs more work, but I will return on a better day.
As it was, by the time I packed up my gear, I looked like I had been attacked by a giant tube of Windsor green paint! (Ah, the joys of plein air painting!) Any way, I am just glad nobody saw my little Jerry Lewis plein air routine. Well, maybe some ghosts saw, but (at least today), they weren’t talking. 
Jennifer
Young; Vibrant LandscapesOil Paintings and Art Prints Online
My Website
Subscribe to my newsletter
Subscribe to my blog
Contact Me!
Very nice! Seems to encompass the civil war era all the way to the present — at least, that;s the feeling I get when I see this painting. Beautiful composition.
Why thank you Dave!
When I started the painting there was no train there–just tracks. But once it pulled in, I kind of liked the “urban meets nature” thing that was happening.
Really beautiful Jennifer!
And great story!
I love old cemeteries too. Have you visited the one at the entrance of Carcassonne in France?
Thank you for stopping by my blog =]
Manuela./
Thanks Manuela
No, I haven’t visited the cemetery at Carcassonne, so I shall have to add it to the list! I am drawn to them though, both large and small in various locations in Italy and France. Claude Monet is buried in a very small one near the church in Giverny. It’s a lovely cemetery, and of course, I was glad to pay my respects to the master!