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Early one Sunday morning my wife and I were driving near Bethel, TN, when we happened to see a guy riding his horse down a dusty country road. We were in the area looking for a creek that Anthony Scarlati (www.scarlati.net) had told us about. The horseman had a long pony tail tied back with a bandana-- the real salt-of-the-earth kind of guy. He seemed like a character out of "Lonesome Dove." I could hardly believe that we just happened upon this "Faulknerian" character while riding down the road. I asked him to ride his horse up and down a creek while I shot photos, and he was willing to do whatever we asked. The lighting was absolutely perfect and the model could not have been more cooperative. I knew that what I had witnessed offered great potential for an oil painting. I could hardly wait to finish this painting. I must say that my wife was just as excited about the prospect as I was since she knows what is required to create a good painting.
One of my favorite places to paint "en plein air" is very near our home in Florence, Alabama. That place is the Fighting Joe Wheeler Golf Course, which is part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Early one morning my wife and I arrived just as the sun was rising to capture this view of the clubhouse. To see another painting that I have done of the course, see http://tommythompsonart.com/workszoom/179369
A garden in Nashville, TN, in the Germantown neighborhood was the inspiration for this painting. The garden belongs to an executive of the Metro Nashville Arts Commission. The Germantown neighborhood is one of my favorite places to paint because of its historical significance, its interesting architecture, and interesting old buildings. We enjoy visiting there and discovering many unusual architectural elements, such as the ones found in this lovely garden.
Often when we visit our daughter near Nashville, TN, we take early morning rides through the countryside to do some "exploring." Early one Saturday morning I found some long-horn cows near Franklin, TN, and was fascinated by their faces, hence this portrait resulted.
I found this little church early one foggy morning near Mars Hill Road in Florence, Alabama. Something about this scene captured my attention, and I often return to it to paint.
Tommy and Marie Thompson visited Spring Park in Tuscumbia, Alabama, the birthplace of Helen Keller, early one spring morning to capture this scene on canvas. Tuscumbia is just across the Tennessee River from Florence, Alabama, where they live. They enjoy visiting the park, especially during the summertime to observe the colorful lighted fountain display that is set to music.
