Art: A picture of Brother Jonathan is worth a thousand words.

Painting the forgotten past.

Adding sight to story.

 In an effort to assist the mind's eye as we peer into Brother Jonathan's world, I have recently set my discoveries to canvas.  I hope my art emboldens the interest and stirs the imagination of fellow 1812's and all who are interested in the early history of the United States and particularly of the region of the old Natchez Trace. 

Artisan Water-Soluble paints.  I really like
these paints!

To put a face on history, I use Winsor & Newton Artisan oil colors.  They are water soluble and have many advantages in clean up as well as a less potent odor when using.  

A British Guard Cavalry converted
to a TN Light Dragoon.  One of many
25mm miniatures I've painted over the
years.

Since I was a boy I have painted countless small metal soldiers with water-based acrylics.  Being unfamiliar with straight oils, it seemed to me a natural progression to transfer from lead to linen using these water-based oils.  So far they seem to work quite well.  I have dabbled with the pure oils and for the most part, I don’t see a significant difference.

My “studio” at present is a table in my home.  It was here on my 50^th birthday in 2016 that I decided to move on my long-held desire to paint canvas.  As it was my birthday and, at fifty years of age I had to acknowledge my time of opportunity was becoming less and less, I headed out for the local arts supply store.  After returning home with paint and brushes in hand, I began my first oil on canvas painting.

 

Uniform Tennessee Volunteer Officer
ca. 1812; my first oil painting.

Me as my own study subject.
The uniform is that of an
Officer of the Uniform Volunteer
Company of the 27th Regiment of
Maury County, Tennessee during the
War of 1812.

It is of a Uniformed Volunteer Company Officer of the Tennessee Volunteers set during the War of 1812.  As I had no other study, I based it on a photograph taken of me by my wife while I was wearing the uniform I and my sister had made for me during the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.  My sister had sewn the Regimental coat and I had researched the coachman’s winter coat and taught myself how to sew during the process of making it.  This experience provided invaluable aide in understanding how the material actually “hangs” on the body.  This knowledge is very useful when trying to replicate the same look on a two-dimensional canvas. 

On this page is a sample of my finished work as well as some studies that are still in the works.  My first two paintings, Tennessee Volunteer Officer ca. 1812 and Tennessee Volunteer Infantry ca. 1812, have been reproduced as prints and are obtainable for purchase.  Please contact me at CLInfantry@gmail.com for details on obtaining one of my prints or for any questions you may have regarding my art or my blog Brother Jonathan’s Ghost. 

My second work.  Much different than the stark,
empty winter setting of the officer painting.  This
painting was a challenge to my developing skills!

Drawing the study directly to
canvas.

My second painting, Tennessee Volunteer Infantry ca. 1812, was also produced in 2016.  The setting for this painting was the New Orleans expedition of 1813.  In actuality Jackson's army halted at Natchez till spring then returned up the Trace to Nashville.  The scene is intended to represent the Tennesseans' camp at Washington, Mississippi just north of Natchez.

In this early exploration phase of my new found passion, I was unaware of artists’ use of graphite to transfer a drawing to canvas.  

Inking in the detail before
applying color.

So, lacking that knowledge, each detail was free-styled by hand directly to the canvas.  Once inked in to secure my detail, I was ready to paint.

My current works in progress include studies of individual subjects as well as full battle scenes.  They are, in no particular order, as follows.

Warrior of the Upper Creek
nation or 'Red Stick' faction.

A warrior of the Creek Indian Nation sports a Scalplock adorned by three feathers.  His body has extensive tattooing with much of his upper body painted red before going into battle.  He is a conjectural drawing of Little Warrior who led the attack that would be known as the Duck River Massacre. 

Volunteer Dragoon, study 1

Volunteer Dragoon, study 2

Here is two different takes on a trooper of a Tennessee Volunteer Light Dragoon company.  Established as Uniform Volunteer Companies long before the War of 1812 and the Creek War, such units were made up of the “well-to-do” families of their respective counties.  Well-equipped and well organized, they would have made a quite a martial appearance on the field in comparison with other short-term units of mounted men that volunteered for service with Andrew Jackson.

Initial sketch of a battle scene set among the walled gardens of
Pensacola Florida in 1814.

On November 9^th 1814, Andrew Jackson’s Army composed of Militia from the Mississippi Territory and Tennessee, Tennessee Volunteers, and regulars from the United States Army took the Spanish garrisoned town of Pensacola, Florida by storm.  This initial sketch of what I hope to be a captivating painting is of men of the 44^th United States Infantry street fighting down the main avenue after breaching the gate.

A Field Officer brings the Tennessee Volunteers into their first pitched battle at Talladega.

Above is another work in progress which is my most ambitious yet.  In this sketch we see the Tennessee Volunteers moving forward to strengthen the line at the Battle of Talladega during the Creek War on November 9, 1813.  

Below right is a detail of the drummer boy of the Tennessee Line at this same battle.

A Drummer of the Tennessee Volunteers.