Thomas Birch Stickers

Shipwreck Near a Rocky Coast by Thomas Birch, 1833. Oil on canvas.

Capture of the Tripoli by the Enterprise by Thomas Birch, circa 1806-1812. Oil on canvas.

I went on a float trip on a river in southeast Missouri with some friends several years ago. We had fun, excitement and a few close calls on our journey down the river. Before our trip I had been studying some paintings of renowned artist from Missouri, Thomas Hart Benton. I learned that he had made a trip to the same river as a source for some of his paintings. On this trip, I was keenly more aware, and noticed all kinds of interesting reflections of colors, shapes and objects that could been seen in and around the gently flowing river. I was inspired about Thomas Hart Benton’s trip, his paintings and my experience on the river. I could hardly wait to get home and start painting.