Author Topic: New painting - Goettler and Bleckley DH4  (Read 4393 times)

Offline RussellSmith

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New painting - Goettler and Bleckley DH4
« on: July 20, 2016, 12:23:39 AM »
Last Light is a depiction of the historic flight of Lts Harold Goettler and Erwin Bleckley of the 50th Aero Sq as they attempt to locate and resupply the famous “Lost Battalion” on Oct. 6, 1918. Goettler and Bleckley put their lives on the line, flying low over the war-torn Ardenne Forest through a hail of groundfire to locate the missing troops. Goettler was killed outright by a bullet from below. Bleckley, the observer, managed to fly the heavily damaged DH4 from the back seat back to allied lines where he subsequently crash landed. Bleckley later died of his wounds.
The scene shows Goettler and Bleckley banking low over the Ardenne in their DH4 Liberty plane. Much of the forest shows the devastation of battle while other parts are still intact. The smoke of battle can be seen on the horizon. A hail of groundfire is reaching up to find our heroes. It was late in the afternoon and the weather was overcast, but a slight break in the clouds somewhere out of the frame rakes the DH4 with a low level light.

"Art is about creating a feeling, an emotion, not about creating a pictorial catalog of the artist's knowledge and research" - Gil Cohen.
Russell Smith
site: www.russellsmithart.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Russel...s/103226508613

Offline coyotemagic

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Re: New painting - Goettler and Bleckley DH4
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2016, 01:33:09 AM »
Truly magnificent, Russell!  As with all of your work, the lighting is atmospheric and really draws me in.  I feel I'm part of the action, as if I'm flying on Goettler's wing.
Cheers,
Bud
"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream in the dark recesses of the night awake in the day to find all was vanity. But the dreamers of day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, and make it possible." -T. E. Lawrence

Offline stefanbuss

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Re: New painting - Goettler and Bleckley DH4
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2016, 09:30:41 PM »
I love the way you have found to bring out the light. Very atmospheric, as Bud already said.

Stefan

WarrenD

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Re: New painting - Goettler and Bleckley DH4
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2016, 10:26:45 AM »
Just gorgeous Russell!

Warren

Offline RussellSmith

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Re: New painting - Goettler and Bleckley DH4
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2016, 09:07:07 PM »
Thanks so much guys. Your kind comments are very much appreciated.  :)
"Art is about creating a feeling, an emotion, not about creating a pictorial catalog of the artist's knowledge and research" - Gil Cohen.
Russell Smith
site: www.russellsmithart.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Russel...s/103226508613

Offline Ernie

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Re: New painting - Goettler and Bleckley DH4
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2016, 09:26:51 PM »
Just lovely, Russell.  You never fail to come up with interesting
and beautiful works, my friend!

Cheers,
Ernie :)
The new old guy, take two...

Offline gbrivio

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Re: New painting - Goettler and Bleckley DH4
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2016, 09:32:08 PM »
A really beautiful picture, light is giving battle flying mood.
Giuseppe

Offline Manni

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Re: New painting - Goettler and Bleckley DH4
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2016, 04:14:48 PM »
Your paintings are just great! I have added them to my chaneing desktop pics on my computer at work!
Love it!
Manni
"Ich hab' da mal was vorbereitet.": Jean Pütz
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