Visual Feast ~ Restaurant mural shows Smokies
by Kristi L. Cristy As seen in The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Diners at The Park Grill Steakhouse restaurant in Gatlinburg can take
in more than good food at a meal. While they're feeding
their appetites, they can devour a spectacular three-part
mural of Gatlinburg with their eyes.
The mural, which Knoxville artist Ann Lorimer painted from
the suggestions of interior designer Marilyn Miller, was
designed in three parts to accommodate the ceiling beams
and trusses in the restaurant.
The left section is a distant view of early Gatlinburg
done from a 1911 photograph, Lorimer said.
"I decided to add vitality to this scene with livestock
and a hound dog, and the addition of early 20th century
likenesses of Park Grill Steakhouse owner Geoff Wolpert and his sons,
Jacob and Jordan," she wrote in an explanation of the
mural Wolpert keeps in the restaurant. "Indigenous
wildlife is included throughout the mural. In this panel,
it is eastern bluebirds, a red fox, cardinals, tufted titmice
and chickadees."
The right and middle sections were more challenging for
Lorimer, because they were modeled after "Camp Art,"
an early 20th century type of American folk art, which she
was not accustomed to using. It incorporates a more rustic
depiction, since it was developed by avid outdoorsmen who
liked to paint.
"It was decided that a mural done in this style would
best compliment the ambience of The Park Grill Steakhouse," Lorimer
said. "However, I did choose to make featured elements,
such as the log cabin and the foreground animals, as realistic
as possible for purposes of identification. All were researched
for authenticity. White-tailed deer, striped skunks ('polecats')
and purple finches ... are watched over by (Grill Manager)
Caroline's cat, Elvis, and my golden retriever, Wellington."
Lorimer says the mountains "relate the various elements
of the mural and give it all continuity." |
