Portland Mills Covered Bridge # 20 in series

Description

Portland Mills Covered Bridge – #20 in Series
7.25” x 5.75” acrylic on watercolor paper, signed Pamela Watson

Portland Mills Covered Bridge is the 20th painting in Pamela S. Watson’s heartfelt series documenting Indiana’s remaining covered bridges. Rendered in acrylic on watercolor paper, this piece features the crisp white structure of the Portland Mills Bridge bathed in gentle September light, evoking the calm and beauty of early autumn in Indiana.

Leading up to the bridge is a patch of vibrant black-eyed Susans—one of the artist’s favorite flowers—adding warmth and a splash of golden color to the scene. On the lower left, tall trees rise beyond the picture plane, their forms backlit with subtle contrast. To the right, sun-drenched foliage frames the bridge, suggesting a perfect late-summer day full of stillness and light.

Painted from reference photos taken by the artist on her travels, Portland Mills Covered Bridge reflects Pamela’s joy in discovering these rural treasures—often tucked away and found with careful map reading and a sense of adventure. This piece not only captures the charm of the bridge itself, but also the experience of seeking beauty in overlooked places.

Part of a larger legacy project, this painting celebrates the intersection of nature, memory, and structure—an enduring tribute to Indiana’s historic landscapes.