Buttercups and Cannon: View from the Terrace with Fellow Artist-in-Residence Cynthia Rusnak

Buttercups and Cannon: View from the Terrace with Fellow Artist-in-Residence Cynthia Rusnak

During my Artist-in-Residence time at the Manassas National Battlefield Park, I had every intention of writing and posting on this blog each day.  But, that didn’t happen and though I missed some of those daily deadlines due to a creative struggle between writing and painting/drawing, I will retrospectively share some additional thoughts about my experience.

I loved sketching and painting outside at various locations in the park. It must be a chlorophyll thing, because I seem to gain my best perspective (physical, mental, AND emotional) when I am among green trees, grass, and flowers. Being outside clears my head and makes way for the creative energy to flow.

The Visitor Center provided a peaceful overlook of the battlefield. I was fortunate to spend a few afternoons there with the other Artist-in-Residence, Cincinnati sculptor Cynthia Rusnak. Cynthia is a lovely person who made my experience even nicer. We had conversations not only with each other, but with people from across the United States and other countries as we worked. Cynthia answered questions about the Bobwhite Quail she is creating from raspberry alabaster. This grassland bird is receiving much attention at the park as work continues to increase its population.

Cindy offered these thoughts on her time looking onto the battlefield from her outdoor workspace:

“The land is so gentle with rolling hills, expansive meadows and sculptural feces.  It evokes a softness and peace that belies what happened here over 150 years ago.  I found it extremely peaceful to be set up on the terrace, working with hammer and chisel on my piece of alabaster.”

The Artist-in-Residence program provides new and varied perspectives on the park. Each artist views the landscape with a unique vision and then translates that, using their chosen medium, into a piece of art that represents what they saw and felt. When artist and public meet through this process, all gain insight and understanding of the relationship between art, history, and nature.