Log Boom in Coos Bay

Description

Giclée reproduction of “Log Boom in Coos Bay” from the original oil on canvas painting by artist Scott Kennedy in 1995.

About the painting “Log Boom in Coos Bay”

I had painted this scene with the log boom in 1995. The painting originated from my work in clearing trees on family land in Oregon.

The forested land was mostly healthy, but it had been overgrown with giant spruce, Douglas fir, Oregon pine, and weedy Alder (mixed in to help nurture the conifers) since its last clearing years ago. In order for the forest to prosper, many trees needed to be taken. I called this land management.

I selected and marked each one where they stood so that the tree cutters could fell them. We worked weeks on end for two seasons. I learned to respect the men that my wife and I had hired. The skills of these tree cutters helped us survive the dangers we encountered each and every day in the wet forest undergrowth.

The masses of logs were floated downstream in a log boom encircled by a chain-linked perimeter. The tugs pushed and pulled them to a waiting cargo  ship. While still in the water, men would work on the logs using pike poles in order to ready each log for boarding. Finally, shipboard cranes would haul the logs aboard. The logs we sold went to Japan.

I observed much within this whole watery atmosphere. Rain, clouds and reflections came and then disappeared. I wanted to get back to my studio. I needed oil paint and canvas to put this down!

An iconic scene nearby

See also the panoramic India ink and watercolor painting “Old Town Florence”.