I love how some paintings come into being and get their title. I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry and Carman Lanigan in March. The Lanigans live in Fairton and couldn't be nicer. Jerry offered to take me out into the marsh where they do the salt haying. I met him early one morning and we headed out on the 4 wheeler. It's one thing to paint the marsh from along the road but it's a whole different experience to ride miles into the marsh.
When a tree is milled the
bark slab is cut away and these planks are used to make a road into the salt marsh. This allows the salt hay wagons to get out on the marsh without sinking. The roads are called Corduroy Roads. This photo is Jerry crossing a small bridge, I've hopped off to get the shot and Jerry is checking to make sure the bridge is safe. There are bits and pieces of the corduray road under us. What a Great Experience!! We passed Sugar Loaf, Dixon Island, and Abbott's Creek. This is how my new painting got its name.This photo is the beginning of "Corduroy Road".
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Second photo is as it starts to take shape. I'm using an 8" x 24" gessoed hardwood panel. I like using
panels because I can say what I want to say and then cut them down back in the studio. I'll post the finished painting on my web site in the next few days.
Over a two day peroid Jerry gave me a tour of Durhams Farm, Stuckey's Cabin and Bridge of Sticks. Is that a great title or what? All of this "wonderfulness" is sandwiched between the Delaware Bay and the Cohansey River. Can't wait to go back.
