If you ever find yourself in the Smoky Mountain National Park and in the old abandoned town of Elkmont, Tennessee, make your way to Little River Trail. If you start at the entrance of the trail, walk about an eight of a mile, or so, and start looking to the right for a beaten down path into the woods. Down that path about fifty yards, you will find a rather large rock foot bridge, that for a second, might make your wonder if you have stumbled into 18th century Europe. That bridge is the inspiration for my latest painting "Morning in Elkmont". The bridge crosses a little stream called Bearwallow Branch. On the other side of the bridge, a little ways, is a couple of old chimney stacks that used to be part of the cabin that once was there. The cabin, among others in the area, was razed by the National Park Service not long ago. The cabins were built around a hundred years ago before the Park came into existence. You can still admire the craftsmanship of those workers that built those stone structures that will remain for hundreds of years to come.
All grown up with trees and moss everywhere around it, it's slowly returning to nature. So you won't find the scene in my fantasy painting. This scene only exists in my imagination of what I would have wanted it to look like. A paradise in the mountains. Walking out of the cabin each morning to the smell of clean mountain air, hearing the birds chirp, and of course the babbling branch as it makes its way down the mountain. The bear, the deer, and of course the Elk, all in their natural habitat. I hope this painting ignites your imagination and you, as I, can hear the water as it flows past the momma and baby deer as they drink the clear mountain water. Or even the sculfling of the two little bear cubs playing in the tree as their mom does a little fishing. Or feel the sunlight on your face as it burns the morning fog. The Elk on the hill seems to be enjoying the scene as well. Enjoy your time there and I hope you enjoy "Morning in Elkmont".
My canvas prints are all open edition and printed on the finest canvas offered from my printing company and is archival certified. In addition, the inks used on my canvas prints are pigment based and archival as well. This assures you that your print will be around and beautiful for many many years to come.
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Note:
This is the first of my paintings that I have added a paw print to the right of my name. The paw print signifies awareness for cat and dog rescues. Many of you are already rescuers. We encourage everyone to find a place in their heart to rescue from a shelter and save a life.