Great Falls Park, Maryland Oil Painting

This oil painting was done in my studio from photos taken a few years back one beautiful fall day in late October at Great Falls Park in Maryland. Great Falls Tavern was originally built in 1828 as a locktender’s house for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The tavern was expanded to its present size in the heyday of the C & O Canal as a commercial route and is now designated a historic site operated by the National Park Service. For many years, park employees in period costumes would give rides to the public in the barge, called the Canal Clipper, during the season from spring through fall, demonstrating the workings of the lock and leading the team of mules that pulled the barge. Use of the Canal Clipper was abandoned in 2005 due to structural damage to the barge.

My painting was recognized as a Top 50 State Finalist in PaintAmerica’s 2006 National competition.