Ride To Glory

This has really been a year of commissions, for me! Now, for my interests, this is a good thing, of course. But it can also mean that I'm not at liberty to post what I'm working on. Since this particular piece had its unveiling in late September, however, now I'm free to post it. This is a painting -- approximately 20" x 28", commissioned by the James Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, Ohio. They had always wanted a painting representing General Garfield's service at the Battle of Chickamauga (GA) during the Civil War -- most people think of Garfield as a president but aren't particularly aware that he was a general during that war. This was a challenge for me in many ways, because I don't generally paint battle scenes, per se; I tend to focus more on the "behind the scenes" people and events of the Civil War. Scott Longert, a ranger at the GNHS, did the bulk of the research for me, however, and served as my constant consultant as the development sketches and then the painting itself progressed. It is now on permanent display at their visitor center, and they have two different sizes of prints for sale. I was very pleased to be selected to create this piece for them!