We have finally been able to take advantage of some free time to go out and explore our own beautiful Tidewater region and Southeastern Virginia! Each time we set out, we take a different route so as to take in some new and varied landscapes. Here are three paintings that have resulted from recent excursions into York County and Isle of Wight County.

DAWN OVER BROWN’S MARINA (Carrollton, VA)
8 x 12 in. oil on canvas by Gulay Berryman

Brown’s Marina is just East of Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. It is very characteristic in appearance to the many small marinas you find along tributary rivers and creeks throughout the greater Tidewater region of Southeastern Virginia. This particular view is looking back across the marshes of Jones Creek at the marina which is located on the East bank, just before the creek empties into the larger Pagan River and James River.

SUNSET OVER JONES MILLPOND (York County, VA)
24 x 24 in. oil on canvas by Gulay Berryman

This view over Jones Millpond was late in the evening when looking left or West from the overlook along the Colonial Parkway when returning to Williamsburg. I just thought the setting sun was spectacular at that hour and I loved the contrast with the darkening woods on both sides of the pond and the reflections which were beginning to dance across the water. Jones Millpond is the last of a number of creeks and marshlands over which the Colonial Parkway crosses as you travel Northwest from Yorktown, all of which offer inspiring views to artists and apparently good bass and catfish for local fishermen who are often seen out in numbers earlier in the day.

MANSION ON MAIN (Smithfield, VA)
12 x 16 in. oil on canvas by Gulay Berryman

Today, this classic Queen Ann-style Victorian home located at 36 Main St. is a bed & breakfast establishment. It was originally built in 1889 for Richard Samuel Thomas, a prominent attorney, and his wife Frances Boykin Jordan Thomas. The house served as both their home and his law practice office. Richard Thomas was a descendent of one of the earliest families of Smithfield. One of his ancestors had even been involved in drawing up the city plan. Thomas and his brothers purchased a number of historically significant properties around Smithfield and they were all dedicated to the historical preservation of these homes and buildings. The Virginia Historical Society conferred the title of ‘a Virginian of Virginians’ on Richard Thomas in recognition of his accomplishments in this regard. The house, referred to as the ‘Thomas house’, remained a private residence until purchased in 1995 by Sala Clark with the intention of restoring it and turning it into a bed & breakfast. Sala passed away unexpectedly in 1998 but the work she started was completed by her mother Betty Clark, the current owner, and the renamed Mansion on Main B&B has been in continuous operation ever since. It also houses the Mansion House Art & Antiques store.