Courting Miss Nellie
By John Paul Strain
Nellie Grandstaff Koontz
Edinburg Mill - Virginia, 1862
- Artist's Proof Paper Giclée
- Condition: New
- Limited Edition size: 50
- Image size: 26" x 19 1/2"
- Created in 2018
- Includes a Certificate of Authenticity
- Ships free FedEx usually within 5 business days but please allow up to 2.5 wks.
ARTIST DESCRIPTION: "Nellie Ellen Koontz was born in Edinburg, Virginia on January 13, 1845. She was a beautiful, precocious, and strong willed child, being raised by her parents William J. Koontz and Elizabeth Ann Grandstaff. Nellie’s mother was the daughter of Major George Grandstaff, an old US Army veteran of the Mexican War and owner of the Edinburg Mill. As the American Civil War raged throughout much of the country in 1862, Nellie was a 17 year old teenager going to school, working on the farm, and helping her grandfather at the mill. Little did she know she would become a heroine in the Shenandoah, when the “Yanks” came calling 1864. Women did what they could to help in the war effort. As men left to join the army, the responsibilities of raising children and running the farm became theirs. Many served as nurses, helping wounded soldiers, often times in their own homes. Woman applied their skills at making clothing, blankets, quilts and even socks, for the army. But despite the war, life went on. Friendships were made. Eligible young girls would attend parties and dances to meet young men. They would write letters to their sweethearts who were away serving in the army, hoping for their safe return. In the autumn of 1864 the war would arrive in the little town of Edinburg. Union General Philip Sheridan sent his soldiers to burn down the Grandstaff Mill and anything of value to the Confederate Army. Nellie and her cousin Melvina galloped to Sheridan’s headquarters to plead with him for mercy, as their grandfather was a US war veteran. Sheridan rescinded his orders for the destruction of the mill, and the two girls galloped back to Edinburg saving the mill in the nick of time. After the war was over, Nellie married Newton French McCann and the couple would have three children. After a long and happy life, Nellie passed away in Edinburg on September 19, 1927. To this day the legend of her exploits during the Civil War lives on in the Shenandoah Valley."
ABOUT JOHN PAUL STRAIN:Mr. Strain and his paintings have been featured on the television shows of C-Span's Washington Journal, The History Channel, and Extreme Makeover Home Edition.Throughout his career he has won many awards for his art. Reproductions of his work have won numerous 1st place awards and "Best of Show" honors, such as the PICA Awards, The Printing Industry of the Carolina's, and at the PIAG Awards in Georgia. John Paul is a featured artist for internationally known collector art companies the Bradford Exchange and the Franklin Mint for which he has created a Civil War Chess Set, several limited edition plate series, sculptures, and many other collectible items featuring his paintings. He has also completed a number of commissioned works for the United States Army, which are on permanent display at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Fort McNair, Washington D.C., and the battlefield visitor's center at Normandy, France. Today, his original paintings can be found in many noted museums such as the Museum of Fredericksburg, and at Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello.
Options
200 S/N Paper Giclée - $275
50 Artist's Proof Paper Giclées - $375 here
Image size 26" x 19 1/2"
Canvas Giclées
100 S/N Studio Canvas Giclées - $275
15 Artist's Proof Studio Canvas Giclées - $325
Image size 24" x 18"
100 S/N Classic Canvas Giclées - $525
15 Artist's Proof Classic Canvas Giclées - $675
Image size 32" x 24"
20 S/N Executive Canvas Giclées - $1200
5 Artist's Proof Executive Canvas Giclées - $1400
Image size 40" x 30"
