In researching material for this piece, Chase spent a week in Washington, DC. During early morning and twilight hours, he photographed many buildings and landmarks to get a feel for the light and color. During the daytime hours, he visited The National Archives and the Library of Congress pouring over hundreds of old black and white photographs to prepare himself to paint the buildings as they were - as opposed to as they are today. His exquisite, elegant style makes him perhaps the finest photo-realist working today.

In these tumultuous times, it is healthy to focus on America as a country of individuals who may have different political views, but who have a lot more in common than first meets the eye. We are a hopeful nation - hope in God, hope in our future, and hope in America as a people. Americans are hard working, resourceful, and resilient.
There are few icons in America that represent these ideals better than the Statue of Liberty. Historically, she has been a beacon welcoming those hoping to immigrate to our nation. Millions visit her each year to celebrate the fact that their ancestors came from around the world to make a new life - one filled with hope and freedom.
And as we embark on this newest challenge to strengthen our nation and ensure opportunities for all, we can look again to her as she will be "A Beacon of Hope" lighting the way to a better life for all and a stronger, united America.
Rod

Set in one of England's many beautiful regions, Blackmore Vale, in the county of Dorset, contains some of the most scenic landscapes in the country.  The Vale is a wide, breathtaking valley primarily used for dairy agriculture dotted with small villages and farms. This amazingly detailed image by Chase features Gold Hill, which is a famous hill and street in Shaftesbury in the county.  This picturesque, quaint village of steep cobbled streets is one of England's most photographed and painted scenes; the village has been featured on many book covers.  St. Peter's Church, one of the few pre-18th century structures still standing in Shaftesbury, is at the top of Gold Hill.  The ancient street is also adjacent to the walls of King Alfred's Abbey, another famous landmark in the area.  The region's recorded history dates from Anglo-Saxon times. The annual Gold Hill Fair is a very popular event that raises money for local charities.

The inspiration for City Lights began some time ago during a visit to New York in January. While in Manhattan for a showing of my paintings, friends of ours took Debbie and I to the roof of their apartment building for a bird's eye view of the city. It was after midnight and very cold. Snow was softly falling, and I remember the sky being lit up from the city lights reflecting off the low hanging clouds. It was an alluring scene and made an indelible impression on me.
The Chrysler Building, an art deco masterpiece built between 1928 and 1930, is one of New York's most iconic and beloved skyscrapers. It's at its best at dusk, when the stainless-steel spires glow, and at night, when its illuminated geometric design looks like the backdrop to a Hollywood musical. It is particularly magnificent viewed from ground level along Lexington Avenue.
- Rod Chase

Evening in Venice celebrates all the Old World elegance and beauty that define this one-of-a-kind city. Rod Chase has captured with exquisite detail the magnificent architecture, the amber glow of the lights in the buildings, and the soft reflections of light in the rippling water. The romance that is Venice is seen through the eyes of a great talent, who shares the city's atmosphere and beauty with all those who view his amazing image.
"Our first evening in Italy found us on the Ponte dell'Accademia overlooking the famous Grand Canal. Although this scene was familiar to me through art and photographs, nothing could compare to actually standing on the foot bridge surrounded by the ancient beauty of Venice. My view is actually a composite of three different photos taken at different spots on the bridge forming a more pleasing panoramic composition. Gondolas were added to give the painting life and interest. As in my painting "The Glory of San Pietro", I muted the colors and intensified the detail symbolizing the rich history and texture of this old-world city. My wife and I look forward to one day returning to Italy and and reliving our first 'Evening in Venice'." - Rod Chase

Evening on the Hill by Rod Chase ~ Again, Rod Chase has created an elegant, truly amazing, painting of our Capitol. He was attracted to this snowy scene because of the unusual lighting of the structure and the pure serenity of the pathway leading to it. Unsure of the type of shadow cast by a park bench, Debbie, Rod’s wife, purchased a bench from an antique store, and they set up lighting that approximated the light source in the painting. The artist is a down-to-earth gentleman with a quick wit and lots of common sense. He is also the ultimate perfectionist!

Rod Chase acquired a fondness for Italy during a visit he made several years ago to sketch and paint the country.  With the beautiful detail and color that are hallmarks of a Chase image, the artist has painted a lovely villa in a serene setting near the town of Castellina in the Chianti region.  This area in Italy is a vital part of the history of Tuscany.  The hilly landscape of geometric patterns of vineyards stretching out in different directions creates changing effects of light and color, which so inspire the artist.  In this magnificent scenery, the vineyards share the land with olive groves, cypress, castles, cottages, craft studios, ancient parishes, villas, and gardens.  Come with Rod Chase to the "Hills of Chianti."

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of Arlington Cemetery's most popular sites.  The Memorial Amphitheater has been the scene of funerals of some prominent Americans as well as the site of the Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations.
The remains of unknown American soldiers from World Wars I and II and the Korean conflict are contained in the Tomb.  It is perpetually guarded by members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard).  Since 1937, the Tomb has been guarded 365 days a year, every minute of the day and night.  The guards never wear their rank on their uniforms, as they do not want to outrank the unknown soldiers, whatever their rank may have been.
The bodies of many soldiers killed in World War I could not be identified.  To honor them, the remains of one were brought to the United States Capitol to lie in state.  On Armistice Day, 1921, the remains were ceremoniously buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  The Tomb bears the inscription:  Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known But to God
Congress later directed that an "unknown American" from subsequent wars, World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Viet Nam War, be similarly honored.  With the development of DNA technology, the Unknown Soldier from the Viet Nam War was exhumed and identified.  There may never be another unknown soldier.
The changing of the guard ceremony is conducted every hour in winter and every half-hour in summer.  All walks are two hours in duration after the cemetery is closed.  As the active sentry nears the end of his walk, a uniformed relief commander enters the plaza to announce the changing of the guard.  When the sentinel assigned the next walk leaves the Guard Quarters, he unlocks his M14 rifle to signify he is ready to begin the ceremony.  The relief commander slowly approaches the Tomb, salutes, faces the visitors, and requests silence during the ceremony.  As the new sentinel approaches, the relief commander slowly, and with great precision, conducts a white-glove inspection of the sentinel's weapon.  The two men then march to the center of the black mat where the duty sentinel stops his walk.  All three men salute the Tomb.  The Tomb sentinels salute with their rifles held in front of them.  "Pass on your orders," the commander instructs the active sentinel.  "Post and orders, remain as directed," he replies.  "Orders acknowledged," answers the relieving sentinel, who then steps into position at the center of the mat.  As soon as the relief sentinel and relief commander pass, the new sentinel begins his walk:  21 paces south, turn and pass for 21 seconds, turn and pass 21 steps south, repeating the actions without distraction until relieved by the next changing of the guard.
A small building, known as "the box," is next to the Tomb.  During the wreath-laying ceremonies, it is a retreat for the sentinel while flowers and taps are presented.  The building also has a telephone with a direct line to the Tomb Guard Quarters for emergencies or to relay information to the next shift.

Standing in Monticello’s Entrance Hall transported me into Stephen Ambrose’s book, Undaunted Courage. Artifacts from the Lewis and Clark Expedition – Indian headdresses and weapons to fossils and animal mounts – surrounded us. Jefferson was an amazing visionary, which is evident in his belief in the people of the United States.
Jefferson’s Monticello features the west front of the house from across a fish pond. The reference photo was shot from a kneeling, almost prone position giving the impression that the pond is much bigger than it really is. Many of the monuments in my work are painted from this low vantage point making them appear larger than life. I “lighted” some oil lamps to create the scene as it might have looked 200 years ago. Jefferson arose early in the morning and would write for hours before mounting his horse to inspect his gardens and farms.
                                                                                                                   - Rod Chase

In preparing to paint this piece, the artist traveled to Washington, D. C., and visited the Supreme Court both in the morning and at twilight to study the detailing in the structure, the color of the building and its surroundings and to take detailed photographs of the area. Chase uses acrylics on canvas, often backing the canvas with board. Unlike most artists who block in color and rework the painting time after time, Chase completes each section of the painting before moving on to the next. Although he works almost exclusively from photographs, he takes artistic license by moving trees, branches or lights to enhance the composition as a whole. The snow in the foreground of this painting is simply amazing - crunchy and crystalline - and reminds Chase of his boyhood in Canada, where snow like this was a constant companion.

Land of the Free was painted in the early fall of 2005. The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most beautiful and dramatic monuments in the city, but it is difficult to construct a strong composition with it as the focal point because of where it stands. In this piece, Chase approached the composition “from the water” rather than from the land as in A Grateful Nation. The exquisite sunset and the warm glow of the memorial itself reflect in the dark water creating a sort of mirror image effect. And, in fact, the glow of the lighted memorial can be likened to the warm feelings so many Americans have for Lincoln himself.

Old Glory on Acorn Street in Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, that borders the Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden. It covers about one square mile and is presently home to approximately 10,000 people. It is a neighborhood of Federal-style row houses, with some of the highest property values in the nation. Known for its narrow streets, brick sidewalks and gas-lit streets, it has been home to many famous Americans including Louisa May Alcott, Robert Frost, John Hancock, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Henry Cabot Lodge, Sylvia Plath, David Lee Roth, Carly Simon and Daniel Webster to name a few.
“Acorn Street, which is pictured in ‘Old Glory’, is a narrow lane within Beacon Hill that is paved with cobblestones. It is often mentioned as the most picturesque street in Boston. At twilight, the focal point of the whole street is the flag which literally glows in the dimming light. Elements in the painting are sometimes changed for both metaphoric and aesthetic reasons. The street light on the upper left is not lighted. This I did to keep the eye traveling to the interior of the lane. If it had been lit, it would have reflected off all the brick walls around it taking the viewer to that area rather than down the lane to ‘Old Glory’.”
- Rod Chase

Rod Chase is one of the most well-known photo-realist painters today.  This outstanding work pays tribute to one of our nation's Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson.  This magnificent image showcases the Jefferson Memorial during the peak of the world-famous cherry blossoms.  Several lush trees captivate the scene with their splendid branches of ripe blossoms cascading over the Tidal Basin, almost touching the tranquil water.  The Jefferson Memorial takes on a ethereal quality as the mass of gray clouds surround the building, almost blending with the stately architecture of the memorial to the great man.  Enchancing this elegant, quiet scene, the pathway lights and the building's columns reflect in the water to complete this amazing image.
The annual blooming of the cherry trees has come to represent the beauty of our nation's capital.  The famous trees have become Washington D. C.'s rite of Spring with an explosion of pink around the Tidal Basin.  Thousands of people from around the world visit the city to witness the colorful spectacle anticipating the beautiful trees will be in breathtaking bloom for the Cherry Blossom Festival.  Thomas Jefferson would be pleased with this wonderful gift from Japan in 1912.  As an avid horticulturist, Jefferson once said, "No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden."

The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by France in 1886. The idea for the gift was conceived at a dinner party in 1865. She was  sculpted by Frederic Bartholdi, and Gustave Eiffel served as the structural engineer. It was fabricated using the Repousse Process and was completed in 1884. The statue was presented to the U.S. on July 4, 1884 and was dismantled and shipped to America in early 1885 on the French frigate "Isere". There were 214 crates holding 350 pieces on the journey across the Atlantic.
Richard Morris Hunt served as architect for the pedestal. The Champion Fundraiser for the Pedestal was Joseph Pulitzer (Hungarian immigrant and Publisher of the New York World), and the Treasurer of The American Committee for the Statue of LIberty was Henry A. Spaulding. The pedestal became the largest 19th Century Concrete Structure in the U.S. weighing 27,000 tons with a volume of 13,300 cubic yards.
On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland officially accepted the Statue saying: "We will not forget that liberty here made her home; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected." It is ironic that it was President Cleveland who vetoed funding for the pedestal in 1884, making private fundraising necessary. The Statue of Liberty was designated a National Monument on October 15, 1924.
Initially, visitors could go up the arm to the torch, but the arm was closed to visitors in 1916. On July 30, 1916, during World War I, German saboteurs blew up a cache of dynamite at nearby Black Tom Wharf in New Jersey. The explosion did extensive structural damage to the buildings on Ellis Island, and popped some bolts out of the Statue of Liberty's right arm. Officials closed the monument for about a week. When it re-opened and ever since that time, the arm has been off limits to tourists.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE STATUE OF LIBERTY...
Wind speed at which She sways: 3 " at 50 mph; Torch sway is 5" at 50 mph...Number of windows in the crown: 25; number of spikes in the crown: Seven rays of the diadem (7 oceans of the World)...Inscription on the tablet: July 4, 1776 (in Roman numerals)
Height from base to torch: 151' 1"; Height from foundation of pedestal to torch: 305' 1"
Heel to top of head: 111' 1"
Length of hand: 16' 5"; Index finger:8'; Size of fingernail:13" x 10" weighing 3.5 lbs
Head from chin to cranium: 17' 3"; Head thickness from ear to ear: 10'; Length of nose: 4' 6"
Approximate fabric in Liberty's dress: 4,000 square yards. Bartholdi intentionally clothed Liberty as a classical Roman diety. She wears a "palla", a cloak that is fastened on her left shoulder by a clasp. Underneath is a "stola", which falls in many folds to her feet.
The ships shown in this painting sailed past Liberty in 2000. Many Tall Ships gathered around her at her 100th birthday in July 1986. It was a sight to behold!

While in Venice last year, Chase spent many hours photographing the Grand Canal and also the smaller,  inner canals. Much of his photography was at twilight or dusk, but on several mornings he and his wife rose early to enjoy a “different Venice” - few tourists and no gondoliers or boat traffic. The city was totally still and quiet except for the sounds of water lapping against the timeworn bricks or the hulls of tethered boats. The mists of morning made the narrow canals all but vanish.  As dramatic and awe-inspiring as Venice was in the evening, it was even more remarkable in the morning - a magical moment when the city seemed invisible except for the soft colors of the ancient buildings reflecting in the water.  It was a world of delicate hues and magnificent textures – so real up close, then silently disappearing like a dream in the silvery mists of morning.

"Morning is a favorite time of day for me. I usually get up around 4:30 am and paint while the house is quiet - before my family is up getting ready for school. Most of my paintings, however, feature twilight or evening scenes with street lights and artificial light providing dramatic shadows and shapes. This is a slight departure in that the subject is backlit by a dramatic early morning sky providing dazzling abstract shapes and colors in the reflecting pool."    - Rod Chase

Chase returns to Washington, D.C. as the source of inspiration for his latest painting of the White House. "Collectors often ask if my Foundation of Freedom series is politically motivated, to which I reply 'no'. Although I actively follow what happens in Washington, these paintings are created out of a deep appreciation for our country and a fascination with her history and architecture. I am challenged by the idea of taking some of the most familiar buildings in America and presenting them with a fresh vision. Once the painting process begins, I am concerned mostly with 'how things look'. Can I capture the light reflecting off the moisture in the air? Does the snow look crunchy or soft? Are the tree limbs convincing? Is the architecture accurate? These are the things that concern me."
- Rod Chase
Interesting facts:
George Washington chose the site for the White House in 1791.
James Hoban was selected as the architect.
John Adams became it's first occupant on November 1st in 1800.