Sheet Size: 16 1/4" x 22"; Image Size: 13 " x 20 "
Fishermen who ply the waters of South Elkhorn Creek today may be unfamiliar with the name of this once popular "fishin hole." In the days of Paul Sawyier its waters surfaced onto the ground level just north of Woodlake on the right side of Stamping Ground pike. If the small stream that flows there today was once the pure, sweet, spring that delighted and refreshed thirsty fishermen, progress has again taken its toll-Barbeque Spring's once sparkling waters now run murky and polluted.
But time cannot sully the inherent enthusiasm fishermen have always shared for this ancient sport. Sawyier, himself, loved to "wet a line," and, on this perfect Summer day in Kentucky, his camera caught one of his companions enjoying a drink of water from the spring before he gave his full attention to catching a creel of Elkhorn's once numerous smallmouth bass.
Paul Sawyier possessed the true artist's genius for color recall, and it was not unusual for him to paint both Summer and Winter scenes from snapshots made while wandering through Frankfort, along the river, and on Elkhorn Creek- and although he painted a number of fine portraits, his first love was undoubtedly the peace and solitude of the great outdoors. But pictures say more than words, and this excellent painting speaks for itself.