In the words of artist Steve Ludeman, “I am fascinated with the geology, archeology, natural history, and cultural history of our country.” For years, he has specialized in landscapes and seascapes of the Pacific Northwest, but he also interprets the Eastern Legacy of Lewis and Clark. This is the 1803-04 journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition from the Eastern seaboard, down the Ohio, up the Mississippi, to their winter camp at River Dubois (Wood River) across from St. Louis. These focus areas combine his love of history and outdoor adventures with a love of painting. For him, the journey of painting is a joyful one.
Steve works primarily with watercolor, mixed media, and pen and pencil drawings. He is a signature member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon and associate member of several other art societies. His art has appeared in many shows in the Pacific Northwest and along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Featured Works
July 14, 1803
Freighting military arms
Lewis spends his last night on the road from Harpers Ferry to Pittsburgh. The slower moving freight wagon—heavily loaded with military supplies—is likely several miles behind.
August 21, 1803
A final inspection?
Pittsburgh, PA Lewis anxiously awaits completion of the military barge. From the Falls of the Ohio, Clark writes to Lewis telling him that they can find the best interpreters, hunters, and boatmen at St. Louis.
August 31, 1803
Leaving Pittsburgh
McKees Rocks, PA Lewis finally departs Pittsburgh with eleven hands. He shows off his new air gun and Blaze Cenas accidentally shoots a female spectator. In New York, the Secretary of the Treasury worries about issuing the stock that will pay for Louisiana.
Even though Lewis himself declared the mouth of the River Dubois to be the expedition’s official point of departure, the two and one-half months spent descending the Ohio River were in fact its real beginning.
“accedentaly the ball passed through the hat of a woman about 40 yards distanc cutting her temple about the fourth of the diameter of the ball.”
October 16, 1803
A "Terrable place"
Falls of the Ohio, KY-IN We do not know the exact date the barge was piloted down the northern channel lined with “dreadful crags” but Thomas Rodney was also there, and he described the falls as a “Terrable place” when the water is low.
October 21, 1803
Falls of the Ohio viewscape
Falls of the Ohio, KY-IN The view from Louisville’s port at Bear Grass Creek presented Lewis with a panoramic view of the Falls of the Ohio. Victor Collot (1796) and Fortescue Cuming (1808) describe the area’s geography including Clarksville, the home site of the Clark family.
October 28, 1803
Winding Ohio River
Leavenworth, IN On or near this date, the expedition passes the Blue River and goes around the big bend of the Ohio. The river bends in this area are twenty miles long by water but only six miles by land.
November 27, 1803
A bold point of rocks
![](/media/lctoday/up-the-mississippi-sq.jpg")
Horse Island, MO The expedition travels about thirteen miles up the Mississippi camping opposite present-day Chester, Illinois. Lewis describes the range of hills forming Cinque Hommes Cape.
January 17, 1804
River thick with ice
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL The temperature drops below zero, and Clark writes of nothing but the cold and thick river ice. In Washington City, Casa Yrujo proposes keeping American settlements east of the Mississippi River.
