Installation of Hampton Plantation Paintings

One of the best things about creating art is sharing the painting process and product with others. I appreciated hearing from a collector who has commissioned artwork of Hampton Plantation for his winter home in Canada. 

Thank you Jim for asking me to create in paint and pigment an impression of your memories of Hampton Plantation.

"Paint Your Own Work of Art at Hampton Plantation" Painting Class Instructed by Katherine Schneider Scheduled by Hampton Plantation State Historic Site

A painting class instructed by artist Katherine Schneider has been scheduled at Hampton Plantation Historic Site for Saturday May 17, 2014. The class geared toward beginning students, has been organized to reduce the pressure of drawing and focus more on color and painting techniques. At the end of class participants will be able to take home their unique painting of Hampton Plantation created on site. All materials provided with registration fee.  

For information and registration please contact Hampton Plantation Historic Site online at: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/hampton or by phone (843) 546-9361.

Hampton Plantation Mansion
Hampton Plantation State Historic Site
1950 Rutledge Rd. McClellanville, SC 29458

"Springtime in Charleston" A plein air painting of the Joseph Verre House

A bright red Japanese maple and intertwining vines of pink roses and confederate jasmine blooming on the garden gate of the Joseph Verre House were the inspiration for this plein air (on location) painting .

Charleston's historic colonial homes are graced with some of the loveliest, intimate garden spaces in the country. While they are often planted to be enjoyed all year long, it is in the spring that they outdo themselves with colorful blooms.

"Springtime in Charleston"
Plein air oil on panel
Size: 11" x 14"
Sold

"Timeless Elegance - Magnolia Plantation" an oil painting of a Lowcountry Plantation by Katherine Schneider

"Timeless Elegance - Magnolia Plantation"

Oil on panel painting by Katherine Schneider

 11"x14" 

$450.00

This time of year the world famous collection of camellias is in full bloom at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens along the banks of the Ashley River near Charleston, SC. Painting on the grounds of the Manor house is a pleasure anytime of year, but even more now when the weather is mild and the amazing variety of  blooming camellias add bright bursts of color to the muted tones of  the winter garden.

"Sunshine on Hampton Plantation" A Plein Air Painting of a Southern Mansion

Painting in the shade of the Washington Oak this afternoon, I was glad I remembered to bring lots of bug spray. With recent summer showers, the mosquitoes were out in force. I was swarmed so badly I'm surprised I have any blood left.

Bug spray and a portable bug zapper improved the situation and I had a wonderful afternoon painting at one of my favorite locations - Hampton Plantation Historical Site.

"Sunshine on Hampton Plantation"
Oil on cradled panel
Dimensions: 11" x 14"
Price: $450.00

I had the pleasure of meeting internationally famous author and painter, Kevin Macpherson when he was in Charleston this spring. Mr. Macpherson creates beautiful, award winning paintings using a limited palette of only 3 primary colors (yellow, red, blue) with white. In his books and workshops, he teaches the importance of mixing "harmonious colors and sensitive grays".
Although I like to use a few more "tube" colors on my palette for convenience, I am working on mixing a wider range of grays and neutrals. Here's a photo of my palette showing the mixtures I've been experimenting with recently.
The shadows and sunshine in the painting "Sunshine on Hampton Plantation" gave me an opportunity to try out these new neutral mixtures while working with color harmony and accurate values. I feel the painting succeeds in portraying the effect of light and shadow on the white mansion due to the use of a wide range of warm and cool grays.

"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.

"Hampton Plantation Portico" - A Plein Air Painting of a Historic Site

Hampton Plantation State Historic Site was a great spot to paint this afternoon. Recently I've been working inside on larger paintings but was drawn to paint outside today by the bright sunshine and mild spring weather.

The painting "Hampton Plantation" shows a view of the house's Adam style portico (porch) that was added to the original 1750 structure about 1790, shortly before a visit by President George Washington.
The Live Oak branch in the upper left of the painting is from a historic tree called the "Washington Oak".

My charcoal drawing of another view of the portico and other paintings of the mansion may be seen by clicking here.


During his visit in 1791, President Washington was asked if he thought this oak tree blocked the view of the new Portico from the front drive of the house and should be removed.
Washington reportedly said the tree should stay and the owners obliged by leaving it to grow where it remains to this day.

Hampton Plantation was a thriving rice plantation throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. After the War Between the States, it fell into decline until 1937 when it was restored by Archibald Rutledge, a descendant of the original owners who became South Carolina's first poet laureate.

The following poem was written by Rutledge about his garden at Hampton Plantation:

"The Garden I Made" by Archibald H. Rutledge

Whenever I Think Of
Life's Light That Must Fade
The Gleams And The Glow
That Must Pass In The Shade;
When Hopes That I Had
Now But Lave Me Afraid-
With Joy I Remember
The Garden I Made

The Redbuds And Dogwoods
I Planted Will Grow;
The Flaming Azaleas
Will Blossom, I Know;
The Chaliced Syringa's
Wild Beauty Will Show
When I Shall Be One
With The Long, Long Ago


The Glimmering Gardenias,
The Wildflowers Wan,
The Red Rose, The Lily
As White As A Swan;
The Garden I Made
Will Keep Blossoming On
When Life With Its Fevers
Is Faded And Gone.

The State of South Carolina purchased Hampton Plantation from Archibald Rutledge in 1971. Today the SC State Park Service preserves the plantation as a historic site and interprets it's natural and cultural history to the public. http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park

"Reflections" Plein Air Art Work of Magnolia Plantation

"Reflections"
11"x14"
oil on birch panel
Price: Sold

The afternoon sun reflecting off the Manor house at Magnolia Plantation into a nearby pond is the subject of today's plein air artwork.

The nearby garden gazebo adds an interesting compositional element to that of the house and surrounding garden seen in the reflecting pond.

Historic Church St. Painting by Charleston Artist Katherine M. Schneider

Still charming after almost 200 years, this historic Church St. home was a pleasure to paint today. The graceful sweep of the garden gate and stately front entrance brightly lit by the morning sun made a "very Charleston" scene.

I was told the fragrant jasmine vine surrounding the front door is wonderful to see and smell when it blooms in the spring.

The timeless beauty of this historic Charleston home is a reminder of the importance of historic preservation in this and other cities. For many years, Charleston has been a leader in the United States in the fight to preserve and protect endangered historic properties.



A plein air painting of the Benjamin Phillips Catherine Jeffries House circa 1818.

"Morning Light on Church Street"
Oil on panel
11" x 14"

Charleston "Haint Blue" Shutters

The Gullah culture in the Lowcountry at one time believed that painting the openings to homes sky blue would keep bad spirits (Haints) out. They believed if a spirit came to a house in the night and saw the sky blue color, it would think the sun was coming up and leave.

This folk custom can be seen in the color of the sky blue shutters on this historic house in Charleston today.

I painted this plein air painting on a brilliantly clear afternoon. The sun reflecting off the white building was blinding and in stark contrast with the beautiful, cool blue of the shutters and sky.

The crisp edges and sharp angles of the building add drama to this 14"x11" oil painting.

A Plein Air painting of Roof Tops along St. Michaels Alley

This is a plein air painting of the roof line along St. Michael's Alley. The loose brush strokes and sketchy treatment of the composition gives the painting a nice feeling of spontaneity.

The painting has been bought by a couple who live downtown and often pass this spot during their evening walks.

Charleston is a wonderful city for walking. Many residents and visitors walk the tree shaded streets as a way of seeing the "sights" and relaxing.

Price: SOLD