Ep 2. Chattanooga, TN

Painting the Town with Eric Dowdle is a travelogue show that covers cities and their culture, architecture, and landmarks across the United States. Hosted by artist Eric Dowdle, the show's format features him coming to a city, getting immersed in the local culture, meeting its people, and capturing its essence on canvas.

In season 1, episode 2 of the show, Eric travels to Chattanooga, Tennessee, a city located in the southern part of the state, bordering Georgia. Chattanooga is known for its scenic beauty, being surrounded by mountains and situated on the Tennessee River. It is also famous for its history, having played an important role in the American Civil War and the industrial revolution.

The episode starts with Eric arriving in Chattanooga and getting a bird's eye view of the city from Lookout Mountain. He is awed by the beautiful landscape and the Tennessee River that meanders through the city. He remarks that painting Chattanooga would be a treat for him as an artist because of the region’s inspiring geography.

Eric first meets up with a local historian who takes him on a tour of the Civil War sites and explains how Chattanooga played a pivotal role in the war. The Union Army’s victory in the Battle of Chattanooga in November 1863 opened the gateway to the Deep South, leading to the Union Army’s occupation of Atlanta and ultimately ending the war.

Next, Eric visits the famous Tennessee Aquarium in downtown Chattanooga, where he is thrilled to see an array of marine animals like jellyfish, giant otters, stingrays, and turtles. Eric captures a beautiful snapshot of the jellyfish and promises to recreate this scene on his canvas.

Eric then visits the art district of Chattanooga, an area of the city known for its eclectic mix of studios, galleries, and coffee shops. He meets with local artists and gets a flavor of the creative community in Chattanooga. He is impressed with the enthusiasm of the artists and their desire to showcase their creativity.

Later, Eric explores the iconic Walnut Street Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that spans across the Tennessee River, connecting the north and south sides of the city. He marvels at the bridge's unique design and the spectacular views of Chattanooga from the elevated position.

The final segment of the episode takes Eric to the Ruby Falls, an underground waterfall located 1,120 feet beneath Lookout Mountain. Eric is amazed at the beauty of the rock formations and how the water has carved its way through them. He is inspired to capture this wonder on his canvas and does so with great success.

Overall, this episode of Painting the Town with Eric Dowdle showcases the charm and beauty of Chattanooga, a city with a rich history, distinctive culture, and natural beauty. Eric's artwork serves as a testament to the city's uniqueness and makes one want to visit Chattanooga in person to experience its many wonders.