Mountains' Embrace A Brushstroke Journey
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Hiking is an experience in itself, but through the eyes of a painter, it's amazing in a different way. Each step sees the light dancing along the path, and colors seem to vibrate as if it's the first time your in the wild. On this day, my wife and stepson hiked in Savage Gulf State Park, located in Grundy and Sequatchie counties, which features one of Tennessee’s most scenic wilderness areas, including the nearly 19,000-acre Savage Gulf State Natural Area.
The journey often involves an upward climb with plenty of stops and crunchy snacks along the way. Birds chirp, and occasionally a woodchuck or squirrel prances across the path. We started our hike in July, when the mountain temperature is usually quite pleasant, but not on this day. There was no breeze at all, but there were plenty of places to sit and rest, making the hike bearable.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good hike, but this one was a real challenge for me. For Kathy's son, it was a breeze, even though I mentioned there wasn't a breeze. My excuse was the load of camera equipment I was carrying. My wife Kathy didn't mind the steepness of the climb, or perhaps she was showing off a little.
After several hours on the trail, we finally reached the top, and I caught my second wind. Then, the cliffs on the other side of the gorge caught me by surprise. The sun made these cliffs sparkle, and the excitement of being on top of the mountain was wonderful. I began taking pictures, snap, snap, I couldn't stop. Kathy chuckled, saying, "he's in the zone." I sure was, and looking over the cliff we were on, I made sure to watch where I was going.
The time spent on top of this wonderful natural palace was another to add to my list of wonderful experiences. The great state of Tennessee has so many of these natural wonders, and for a painter who loves landscape painting, this is truly God's country.
The day ended with no injuries, lots of smiles, and plenty of images to bring back to the studio. The painting was completed a couple of weeks later. I used plenty of thick, dry oil paint on the canvas to emphasize the terrain we crossed that day. This work required the use of stand oil, which thickened the paint, making the surface dance with the light hitting it just right. I prefer to view this painting in a dimly lit room to capture the essence of that hot summer's day.
The phrase "Every picture tells a story" means that images often convey messages, emotions, or information that go beyond what is immediately visible. A single picture can encapsulate a narrative or evoke a deeper understanding or feeling about the subject or scene captured. I am quite please that I was able to achieve that mission. EB
Eric Buechel Fine Art
P.O. Box 277
Pleasant Hill, Tennessee 38578
931-881-7806
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