Painting Lewis and Clark's Eastern Legacy
A wonderful opportunity has come my way. I am honored to be working with the national Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation (LCTHF) to use my art to tell a crucial part of the Corps of Discovery story. This is what is known as the Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy. My series of 20 original drawings and paintings will tell the story, in 1803 – 1804, of Lewis & Clark traveling down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi River, to the mouth of the Missouri River - a distance of about 1400 miles. This was the first leg of their monumental journey West across the continent. A few artists have created exceptional paintings depicting parts of this eastern journey. As far as I know, I am the first artist to tell the whole, compelling story of the Eastern Legacy. This art and history project involves lots of research and travel, and will probably take 3 to 4 years to complete. Fortunately, I have excellent interest and support from my wife Jean, along with LCTHF officers, members, educators and historians. This is a real adventure! |
Our Story Begins …..
It was a dark and stormy night. President Jefferson and Captain Lewis huddled near a roaring fire in the President’s office in The White House, intensely engaged in planning and preparations for the upcoming expedition across the Continent. The new White House was one of three historic, iconic buildings that figure prominently in the epic story of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. The other two buildings are The American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Monticello, Jefferson’s home in Virginia. To prepare for the Expedition, Captain Lewis spent nearly a year at the Philosophical Society. There, from America’s best scientists and scholars, he learned the basics of medicine, navigation, biology, botany, ethnology, mineralogy, agriculture, and principles of the Enlightenment. President Jefferson developed and refined many of his concepts and ideas about western exploration at his Monticello home. His interest in exploring the west between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean went back over 50 years. These three pencil drawings are my representation of our beloved historic American buildings. |
At the U. S. Armory at Harper’s Ferry, VA, a cargo of expedition supplies and equipment was loaded into an Army freight wagon. Driven by a teamster, the wagon then made its way 300 miles to Pittsburgh, PA. For part of that journey, the transport followed a well-established route known as Braddock’s Trace, a military road built during the French & Indian War.
This painting shows the freight wagon with Army escort in late evening on Braddock’s Trace. Upon arrival in Pittsburgh, the cargo was stored then loaded onto the new barge when it was completed in late August, 1803. |
Forty yards away, the rifle ball grazed a woman’s temple, knocking off her hat. She fell immediately and was unconscious. All were concerned she was seriously injured or dead; but fortunately, the wound was only superficial. Captain Lewis administered first aid and she revived quickly. He resolved not to let anyone else hold his air rifle again!
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Originals in this series are not for sale; contact me about purchasing limited edition prints and Fine Art Reproductions.
Check this page to follow my Lewis and Clark History project. to top of page |