(mouse-over to magnify / click to expand)
|
(mouse-over to magnify / click to expand)
Mar 14, 2024
Media: oil on birch panel, shellac undercoat, unframed
Size: 6x6 in
This is an example of what my husband puts up with when we travel. We were camping at Wallowa Lake and exploring the surrounding area. As we drove past this barn, I asked him to stop (well, more like shouted, "Stop!"). I got out and walked back, taking photos from different angles and distances. That's basically how we cross the country when we do road trips. Drive, shout, stop, photograph, repeat. And then I have years to go back and find the images I want to paint. This area is the traditional homeland of the Nez Perce tribe. Half of the tribe were coerced into a treaty that took their lands and relocated them to a reservation. Around 750 men, women and children instead ran for the Canadian border. It's an epic tale of unbelievable courage and strength. Two thousand US troops pursued them, the soldiers on horseback, those fleeing them were on foot. Around 100 troops and and equal number of Nez Perce (men, women and children) died in skirmishes and battles along the way. Against all odds the tribe made it to within a few miles of the border, when they were stopped by the Battle of Bear Paw. Chief Joseph gave a speech declaring he would "fight no more forever." I remember hearing about this chase and feeling heartsick that the people who lived there for over 11,000 years were forced out by the US government to make way for settlers. I'm still heartsick when I think of it. I was pleased that the tribe just gained back some land connected to a holy site on Wallowa Lake. Their culture remains strong from across the years of hardship that followed contact with us. One of the things I love about travel is learning the local history from the perspective of people who live at each place along the way. It's a way to grow and appreciate all who came before and how that influenced what happens in the present. It's beautiful countryside, and not what many expect when they think of Eastern Oregon. Up in those mountains is the Eagle Cap Wilderness area, where I was lucky enough to backpack for a week over forty years ago. Now I'm happy to view it from afar. This is an example of what my husband puts up with when we travel. We were camping at Wallowa Lake and exploring the surrounding area. As we drove past this barn, I asked him to stop (well, more like shouted, "Stop!"). I got out and walked back, taking photos from different angles and distances. That's basically how we cross the country when we do road trips. Drive, shout, stop, photograph, repeat. And then I have years to go back and find the images I want to paint. This area is the traditional homeland of the Nez Perce tribe. Half of the tribe were coerced into a treaty that took their lands and relocated them to a reservation. Around 750 men, women and children instead ran for the Canadian border. It's an epic tale of unbelievable courage and strength. Two thousand US troops pursued them, the soldiers on horseback, those fleeing them were on foot. Around 100 troops and and equal number of Nez Perce (men, women and children) died in skirmishes and battles along the way. Against all odds the tribe made it to within a few miles of the border, when they were stopped by the Battle of Bear Paw. Chief Joseph gave a speech declaring he would "fight no more forever." I remember hearing about this chase and feeling heartsick that the people who lived there for over 11,000 years were forced out by the US government to make way for settlers. I'm still heartsick when I think of it. I was pleased that the tribe just gained back some land connected to a holy site on Wallowa Lake. Their culture remains strong from across the years of hardship that followed contact with us. One of the things I love about travel is learning the local history from the perspective of people who live at each place along the way. It's a way to grow and appreciate all who came before and how that influenced what happens in the present. It's beautiful countryside, and not what many expect when they think of Eastern Oregon. Up in those mountains is the Eagle Cap Wilderness area, where I was lucky enough to backpack for a week over forty years ago. Now I'm happy to view it from afar. |
Available Paintings by Shari Goddard Shambaugh
|
![](http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/shari-goddard-shambaugh/red-barn-in-eastern-oregon/1111835&media=https://s3.amazonaws.com/fineartimages.dailypaintworks.com/de65e8c2-6afd-4d3f-bcb3-8707821cc096.jpg&description=Daily Paintworks - "Red Barn in Eastern Oregon" - Original Fine Art for Sale - © Shari Goddard Shambaugh)
Email to a Friend
