Celebrating America

In his own unique way, Stafford County resident Dale Glasgow is celebrating America's 400th anniversary with a little dab of history, and a little dab of art.

Glasgow combined the two to create a series of paintings dedicated to Jamestown and next month's birthday milestone. He unveiled the paintings April 20 at a three-hour event, held at the Grey Ghost Gallery on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg.

The limited-edition paintings depict Jamestown's founders and their first experiences in the new world, where they settled.

"My vision of what those people experienced, when they first set foot on Jamestown's shore, was like no other moment in time," said Glasgow. "They were the ancestors who gave us the Christian nation of freedom we have today."

The artwork is a series, which consists of three paintings available as lithograph editions and canvas gicl-es. A gicl-e is a printmaking method that creates photographic images of paintings, while maintaining the original's fine detail.

Glasgow's first painting in the series depicts the Jamestown landing on May 14, 1607. In the painting, explorers arrive and set up a cross to claim the land for England and King James.

The second painting shows the first voyage up the James River in a small boat, the Shallop, with a larger ship, the Discovery, landing near an American Indian village to trade.

The third painting depicts four ships - the Discovery, the Godspeed, the Susan Constant and the Shallop - sailing up the James River.

According to Glasgow, the three paintings focus on America's first founders, whose deep spiritual devotion to Jesus Christ and their loyalty to King James brought them to the land.

The series shows the birth of America and its natural beauty, unhindered by modern invention.

Glasgow conducted extensive research on Jamestown, reading 10 books, consulting Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation curators and traveling multiple times to the island. While there, he collected some of the island's soil and mixed it into oil paints used in his artwork.

Intrigued by art since he was 3 years old, Glasgow continued his passion into college, graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, and beyond.

Internationally known, Glasgow has worked at National Geographic magazine, USA Today, NASA and for many Fortune 500 companies.

He painted "Bird's Eye View of Fredericksburg," which shows every building in the city of Fredericksburg, and his work is depicted in publications and venues including Webster's Dictionary and the Smithsonian Museum.

"Being an artist every day, has been my passion," said Glasgow, who lives on a Hartwood farm with his wife, Sharon Glasgow, and three of their five daughters - Hannah Glasgow, 18; Rachael Glasgow, 16; and Ellie Glasgow, 11.

Dale Glasgow works in a studio adjacent to the farm, which boasts sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, cats and a border collie.

His daughter Heather Young, 24, is married and works as an artist and writer. Another daughter, 22-year-old Jennifer Glasgow, is an artist in California.

In 2005, Glasgow decided to drop everything in order to research and create a project dedicated to America's 400-year history.

With numerous art signings scheduled, Glasgow has events similar to the Fredericksburg opening scheduled, in areas including Williamsburg, Richmond, and Smithfield.

An interview with Glasgow aired earlier this month on the Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club."

"The most important part of being an artist is enjoying the creative spirit God has given me," Glasgow said in a promotional biography. "I feel His sun rays on my shoulders when I enjoy what I was made to do-"

For more information, visit Dale Glasgow's Web site at daleglasgow.com or send an e-mail to dale@daleglasgow.com. Also visit GreyGhostArt.com.