Painting Under the Oaks at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA

 I took the opportunity to paint this beautiful day on location at the SC Department of Natural Resources Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area near McClellanville, SC.

Sunlight lights my canvas as I paint under the oaks
near the Santee Gun Club Clubhouse,
a regional office of the SC Department of Natural Resources.

The subject of my plein air painting is sunlight filtering through the live oaks leading to the historic Santee Gun Clubhouse circa 1908 on the grounds of the former Blake Plantation once the site of large scale rice planting and the first rice mill in SC.

 "Sunlit Oaks"A mix media painting on canvas
by
 Katherine M Schneider
20" x 24" unframed

Plein Air Painting at Hampton Plantation - Spring 2014

Charcoal Drawing by Katherine Schneider
Hampton Plantation State Historic Site
2014

Beautiful weather made for a wonderful afternoon at Hampton Plantation.

As I worked on my charcoal drawing, the afternoon sun filtering through the ancient Washington Oak cast soft shadows on the Spanish moss as it swayed in the afternoon breeze.












Hampton Plantation Historic Site Park Manager Mr. Dale Purvis and his daughter came over to visit and see my afternoon's artwork.

 

Mr. Dale Purvis, Hampton Plantation State Historic Site Park Manager

and his daughter Miss D. Purvis, age 3

Upon viewing the drawing, Miss Purvis commented "It's a pretty picture of my house".  I couldn't ask for a better review of my artwork "Hampton Plantation - Spring Breeze".  

"Hampton Plantation - Spring Breeze"
by Katherine Schneider
Charcoal and Pastel
11" x 14"

Riley Iron Works Foundry Origin of 1907 White Point Gardens Bandstand

Recent restoration of the circa 1907 bandstand at White Point Gardens has revealed a foundry mark with Charleston origins on the bases of the cast iron columns.
Dustin Clemens, Project Manager of the White Point Gardens Restoration Project for the City of Charleston Parks Dept. took this photo of the John F Riley Iron Works foundry stamp from a bandstand column undergoing restoration on Aug. 13, 2009.

A John F Riley operated his foundry on South St. in Chas. in the early 1900's according to research by Dr. Nicholas Butler, Manager of the Charleston Archive at the Chas. Co. Library. This John F Riley was the brother of Andrew J. Riley, the grandfather of Charleston's present mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

Aug. 15, 2009, I had a chance to see the restoration work in progress at Charles Blanchard Construction Co.. Numerous layers of old paint and rust have been removed and a coating of primer paint has been applied to the ironwork. The columns, with the foundry mark now clearly visible after removal of decades of paint are resting on wooden supports awaiting additional repairs.

David Rowland, of TonMar Industries is seen here restoring one of the 8 bandstand arches. The grey areas on the arches indicate the locations of original foundry repairs to the iron work due to casting flaws. These areas are undergoing additional stabilization and restoration.

As a sculptor who has both built and cast from molds, I appreciate the skill and degree of complexity that was involved in casting this ironwork. Looking at the riveted attachments and casting supports inside the iron arches was a trip back in time.

The fact that these cast iron columns and arches of the bandstand have withstood the damaging effects of over 100 years in a subtropical climate of heat, humidity, salt air, and hurricane force winds is a testament to the work of the John F. Riley Iron Works of Charleston, SC.

"Evening Light at Hampton Plantation" A Plein Air Painting of a Historical Site

I took advantage of the cooler weather today to paint "en plein air" (on location) at Hampton Plantation State Historical Site.
The magnificent "Washington Oak" framing the plantation house's stately front portico with moss draped branches is the subject I chose to paint this afternoon. The tree is said to have been saved from being cut down to provide a better view from the newly built front portico by President George Washington during his visit to Hampton Plantation in 1791.
Now a mighty live oak, the tree was named in his honor.

The lengthening evening shadows falling through the tree's branches and across the front lawn create an interesting value contrast in my plein air painting of Hampton Plantation, the stately home of South Carolina's first poet laureate, Archibald Rutledge.

"Evening Light at Hampton Plantation"
Plein air oil on cradled panel
Dimensions: 11" x 14"
Private collection

A Plein Air Charcoal Drawing of Hampton Plantation

This charcoal and mixed media drawing of Hampton Plantation was created in the shade of the magnificent Washington Oak on the grounds of the Hampton Plantation Historic Site.

In the drawing, the graceful curve of the live oak tree in the foreground leads the viewer's eye through overhanging branches swaying with Spanish moss to the portico of the mansion. The last rays of the afternoon sun cast a soft light on the white columns and front steps inviting the viewer to come and rest a while on the porch.

Hampton Plantation was given to the South Carolina State Park Service by SC Poet Laureate Archibald Rutledge and his family in 1971. The mansion was built in the 1740's with the addition of a beautiful Adam style portico (porch) modeled after Hampton House in England in 1791.

The Live Oak tree in my drawing is called "The Washington Oak" in honor of President George Washington. During his visit to Hampton Plantation in 1791, the President was asked if he thought the tree blocked the view from the newly built portico. Washington replied that he like the tree and it was saved.

For more paintings of Hampton Plantation click here.

South Carolina Tramp Brigade Living History Group Camps at Fort Moultrie

Living historians from the SC Tramp Brigade were among several groups of historical interpreters participating in events at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island today.
The groups are portraying life at the Fort during the period from 1809-1860 ( mainly 1859) when the US Army Regulars were stationed at Fort Moultrie prior to the War Between the States.

The historians are conducting artillery drills, demonstrating firing muskets, and portraying the daily life of 19th century soldiers and their families. Demonstrations and camp activities will continue tomorrow from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

I had the pleasure of visiting with visiting living historians Marvin Greer (from Ga.) and Joe Blunt (from Fla.) as they relaxed in their camp after today's activities.

I also met Tina Temm from Alabama as she passed out ginger snaps after supper in camp. Tina and the other member's historically accurate clothes and camp life style create a window into the early 19th century life at Fort Moultrie that is both entertaining and educational.

For my drawing of a soldier relaxing in camp after supper, I used charcoal to recreate the look of a 19th century "field sketch". In the 1800's, it was common for newspapers to hire artists to travel to locations and create drawings to be used for illustrations.

"At Ease - Reclining Soldier"

Charcoal and Conte drawing
Drawing dimensions: 11" x 13"
Framed dimensions: 17" x 21"
Price: $175.00

"Friendfield Slave Village Church" plein air painting amid preservation work

Friendfield Village was home to enslaved Africans and later freedman who lived in the cabins from the early 1800's until 1952. In addition to homes, the village eventually included a school house, doctor's office, and church. The church at Friendfield was built in 1890 with the addition of the bell tower in 1905.

"Friendfield Village Church"
Oil painting on panel
Dimensions : 14" x 11"
Price on request

I had the privileged of joining artists from the Plein Air Landscape Society (PALS) to paint on location at Hobcaw Barony, a 17,500 acre research reserve and historic site managed by the Belle W. Baruch Foundation.

As we painted, work was in progress to preserve and stabilize the wood structures in this former slave community.

Brick footings and fireplaces have been strengthened, roofs repaired and cabins painted.


As at other historic sites in the SC Lowcountry (click here for Magnolia Plantation Slave Cabin Restoration Project), the Belle W. Baruch Foundation realizes the value of preserving the buildings at Friendfield Village to show how enslaved Africans lived on this southern plantation during the days of growing "Carolina Gold" rice in tidal rice fields during the 1800's and later as freedman descendants of slaves continued to live and work on the land when it became a winter hunting retreat in the 20th century. Click here to see a historic photo of a wedding party heading to the Friendfield Church.

Three Generations of a Lowcountry Family at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Members of the Leach family have lived and worked at Magnolia Plantation for generations Their family story is an important part of a new project at Magnolia Plantation to tell the history of the men and women who have worked here for over three centuries.

At 86, Mr. Johnny Leach is still an active member of the Magnolia Gardens staff. Mr. Isaac Leach (age 50) keeps the gardens beautiful for visitors by working on insect and disease control on the many historic plant species, in addition to maintaining the properties numerous ponds. Jackson Leach (age 18) works in grounds keeping and will be a historical interpreter when the newly restored cabins are open to the public.

Isaac, Jackson, and Mr. Johnny Leach revisited their former home on what they refer to as "the street" today to see the work that has been done to restore the cabins.
Mr. Leach (on the left) shows his son and grandson the addition to the old family cabin he built by himself over 50 years ago. He rigged a special rope pulling system to lift the metal sheets onto the roof by himself. Isaac Leach remembers a large wooden barrel that was used to white wash the cabin many years ago when he was a boy. All three men lived in the cabin, although Jackson was only 2 when he moved with his family to a new home.

New staff members meet with the Leach's at "the Street". Historical interpreter Preston Cooley and Managing Site Historian D.J. Tucker discuss plans for the historical sites opening in February with Jackson, Johnny, and Isaac Leach.

I'll post today's plein air drawing from the site tomorrow.
As both an artist and a former Park Ranger Historian with the National Park Service who interpreted the history of Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter in the 70's, I'm enjoying meeting those who are involved in the development of this historic site. When it's completed, Slave Cabin Row (aka "The Street") will be a unique addition to the history of the Lowcountry, telling the story of how the lives of workers on a southern plantation changed through the years from the colonial era up to the present.

Slave Cabin Row Restoration Project at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens 2008

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has completed restoration work on 5 slave cabins at "Slave Cabin Row".
On a recent plein air painting trip, I was given a tour of the site by Kevin Meek, owner of Rock Creek Craftsmen. His company has restored the cabins at Magnolia to show the evolving story of enslaved Africans and later freedman living in the structures from the Colonial period up to recent history (1969). Click here for more news coverage of the project.

Each of the cabins on Slave Cabin Row has been restored to demonstrate the building materials and living conditions of a different historical period.

Magnolia Plantation is the only Lowcountry Historical site that has cabins showing the changing conditions of the workers and buildings as life on the plantation changed over time.
Sean Connolly, Project Manager and Kevin Meek discuss work at two of the "older" period cabins.

Connolly, Meek, and Project Technician Kate Fowler are pictured by the Leach Family cabin. Members of the Leach family (click here for photo's of the Leach family) lived in this cabin until 1969. The oral history from members of the Leach family who are still working at Magnolia Plantation will be included in the historical interpretation of the site.
At this time the cabins are unfurnished, but the project includes plans to add historic objects to at least one of the buildings.

I, along with other exhibiting members of the Charleston Artist Guild, have been invited to create new paintings of the winter garden to exhibit during the 2009 Winter Garden Festival in the Plantation Gallery and Gift Shop.

The restoration project unearthed an artifact of particular interest. A handcrafted 14 caret gold object about the size of a cuff link was found in an area where the oldest cabins once existed.
The artifact may have had various uses, possibly as an earring. The owner of the gold artifact is a mystery as is it's origin.

Here are photos of my mortar and pestle and spinning wheel (circa 1800) in the cabin. Both are similar to those which would have been used on the plantation in the Colonial Era.


I think they add an interesting element to the story about the lives of the people who lived on Slave Cabin Row at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. For information about the restoration work of former slave cabins at Friendfield Village click here.

Flag Day on Sullivan's Island - A Photo Essay by Charleston Artist Katherine M. Schneider

American Flags were flying all over Sullivan's Island as I painted on the beach today. This island that has seen so much military action in it's history, is proudly celebrating Flag Day 2008. I'm posting photos from Sullivan's Island where flags can be seen flying on street posts, in yards, on the beach, porches and harbor side flag poles.


Near Fort Moultrie, the"Stars and Stripes"waves in a strong sea breeze among a group of palmettos, the state tree of South Carolina.







The afternoon sun highlights flags on the road to Fort Moultrie, one of two historic forts that make up Fort Sumter National Monument,
a division of the National Park Service.











Sullivan's Island Baptist Church reflects the bright afternoon sun while a flag billows in the sea breeze.











This Sullivan's Island beach cottage displayed the original SC State Flag (blue field with a white crescent in the upper left corner) along with a Colonial era American flag on the front porch. A contemporary US flag is seen on the street in front of the home.






Another island home sports porch bunting, red, white, and blue bows and an American flag on the street.











One Sullivan's Island resident displayed a variety of flags in their yard.





The flags on display represent some of the many branches of the military that have served on Sullivan's Island over the years.










These are pictures of the flags in the yard shown above.





























"Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave 'ore the land of the free and the home of the brave..." The Star Spangled Banner composed in 1814 by Francis Scott Key.

Our country is facing many complicated and deeply challenging issues but I still feel fortunate to live in the USA where we have more freedom and opportunities than many in other parts of the world.