Live Oak Shadows | 11×14 | Oil on Linen Panel

Inspiration for Live Oak Shadows

For Live Oak Shadows, I returned to one of my favorite locations: Naval Live Oaks Reservation in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Naval Live Oak, located just down the road from my studio, is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. In late afternoon during autumn and early winter, I truly believe this area is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Seed pods are bursting open, flowers are in bloom, and leaves are changing color. The variations of texture and hue in nature are breathtaking! As the sun sinks towards the horizon, the vibrant blue sky becomes increasingly tinged with all the colors of the spectrum. I pack in my paints and easel just before the sun disappears, leisurely walking back across the white sand. I try to soak in the astounding beauty around me: it’s a little taste of heaven!

History about Naval Live Oaks

The U.S. government purchased this location in 1828 as the first and only federal tree farm. It began operations January 18, 1829, and serves today as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore forest community. The National Park Service preserved Naval Live Oaks on January 8, 1971, then added it to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on September 28, 1998. The land comprising the present Naval Live Oaks area was purchased with the goal of reserving the valuable live oak resources for shipbuilders.  Superintendent Henry Marie Brackenridge lived on the tree farm and experimented with cultivating the live oak, hence he is probably the United States’ first federal forester.