Church of the Cross in Bluffton SC

by Pamela Poole

Title

Church of the Cross in Bluffton SC

Artist

Pamela Poole

Medium

Painting - Watercolor

Description

The Church of the Cross, built in 1854, is a popular historic site in Bluffton, South Carolina. The architecture is fascinating, in gothic style, and every side of the building is unique! Most important is the focus on the simple cross at the uppermost part of the front of the church, pointing upward to heaven. The fanned tops of the arched windows look like palmetto fronds, and this structure was one of the few that weren't destroyed when Bluffton was burned during the Union occupation in the American Civil War.
Like so many residents and visitors to Bluffton, I love the grounds of this church, with its stunning view of the May River, palms, azaleas, and live oaks overhanging the river banks where they drip Spanish moss into it. One of my favorite things to see in the front entrance is the verdigris sun dial displayed on a pedestal column in the front (the pedestal is included in the painting). The sundial message is wonderful - "Light is the shadow of God."
As an artist with Lowcountry Plein Air Painters, I painted this in my studio from a photo I'd taken, practicing to prepare for my first outing with the group. Hoping to keep my pack light, I switched to watercolors, which I haven't used in several years. One of my Bible Study leaders attends church here, so the original is now in her private collection.

Uploaded

March 31st, 2022

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags