Boat Shed, L. Daniel, 12 x 16
I painted this plein air piece the small, rural town of Meridian, Georgia. This shed sits right next to the local post office and I am pretty sure that every member of the community stopped by for their mail while we were painting. They were a friendly bunch and more than several of them stopped to tell us the history of the old shed...
Apparently, there was once an old country store next door that purchased "deertongue" by the pound (named for it's appearance - it looks like a deer's tongue). Deertongue is an indigenous, vanilla flavored plant that was used by the tobacco industry back in the 1900's to flavor cigarettes and pipe tobacco. Folks would collect these leaves in the countryside and bring them to the store for extra cash. One guy remembered working in these old sheds as a kid, processing and bundling the herb. Lots of history in this place! :)
Interesting... Don't you love going to new places and seeing through painter's eyes??
ReplyDeleteIt's part of the joy of being an artist... the seeing!
Thanks for that painting and the interesting story
ReplyDeleteLaurel,
ReplyDeleteLove this one! "Boat Shed" is gorgeous in person, was one of my favorites that I got to see. The colors are beautiful and such an interesting composition. Wonderful trees against the Georgia sky. The boats are amazing colors and just love all the history that you captured so well. Of course word spread in Meridian and all the locals had to come see you:) Lucky residents to get to watch you paint!
Mmmmm, deer tongue :)
ReplyDeleteA great painting Laurel,
ReplyDeleteI can feel the heat coming right out of the blog post. Wonderful work and super post too.
XOXOXOXOX Barbara
I have been totally enjoying your Georgia series of paintings. Thank you, Laurel!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed catching up with your blog . . . lovely paintings all!!!
ReplyDelete