Starry Night at the Indian River Inlet Bridge

The Charles W. Cullen Bridge as it might have been painted by Van Gogh, the Dutch artist…

Vincent Van Gogh is a Dutch post-impressionist painter whose works are renowned for their emotional impact and vibrant, expressive color palettes. Recognized as one of the most influential painters of all time, his unique style evokes a deep sense of emotion in viewers. Imagine then, if Vincent Van Gogh were to paint the Indian River Inlet Bridge in Delaware in the style of his famous Starry Night piece.

Indian River Inlet Bridge Starry Night in the style of Vincent Van Gogh
The “Starry Night at the Indian River Inlet Bridge” as it might be painted by Vincent Van Gogh.

The Indian River Inlet Bridge is a picturesque sight in Sussex County, Delaware. With its majestic arches and stunning views of the bay and ocean, it’s easy to imagine how the Dutch master Vincent Van Gogh might have painted this structure if he had seen it himself. His trademark swirling brushstrokes and brilliant blues would be perfectly suited to capture the essence of this iconic bridge.

Indian River Inlet Bridge Twilight
The original “Indian River Inlet Bridge Twilight” Photograph by Bill Swartwout upon which the Starry Night version was based.

A Van Gogh-inspired painting of the Indian River Inlet Bridge would likely feature a starry night sky filled with points of light that add an air of drama to the piece. This would be an apt representation, as photographer Bill Swartwout has captured some incredible photographs of this same bridge under a blanket of stars.

It the Starry Night for you?

Yes, of course, both of the above pieces are available as prints, wall art, and on home-decor items. Either click on one of the Indian River Bridge images above or one of the links below.

Link to: Starry Night at the Indian River Inlet Bridge

Link to: Indian River Inlet Bridge Twilight

Link to: Bill Swartwout Photography

Link to Bill’s: Artificial Intelligence Gallery


In summary, Vincent Van Gogh’s famous painting “The Starry Night” has been recreated in the form of a highly edited photograph by Bill Swartwout Photography. The Indian River Bridge at the Delaware Seashore State Park near Bethany Beach, DE serves as the backdrop for this stunning image. At night, the bridge is illuminated with blue spotlights that gives it an ethereal feel reminiscent of Van Gogh’s masterpiece. Bill has captured this magical moment in time with his camera and then retells the story of “The Starry Night” in a new and exciting way using the editing capability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) computer software.

Starry Night Bridge Greeting Card
Starry Night at the Indian River Bridge Greeting Card – 7″x5″ and suitable for framing – $4.95 each (or $2.45 per card in a 10-pack).

Here is one of many items available. This greeting card is less expensive than many in local stores and you can customize the message area inside. Click HERE or click the card picture for more information and to order. Cards are $4.95 as a single or $2.45 per cards in a 10-pack, or $1.75 in a 25-pack. They are of a high enough quality to be framed.


Red Sky at Night Sailor’s Delight

Red sky in the morning sailor’s take warning.

As the adage goes, yes, this does apply to boats and sailors who sail out of the Indian River Inlet and under the Indian River Inlet Bridge. The Charles W. Cullen Bridge north of Bethany Beach, Delaware has many boats and sailors passing below while heading out into the Atlantic Ocean.

red sky at night over the indian river inlet and bay
Red sky at night over the Indian River Inlet and Indian River Bay

Have you ever wondered what it means and whether the old sailor’s saying “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight” is really true? It is an age-old proverb that has been used throughout history by sailors to predict the weather. How does it help determine when fair sailing conditions are likely to arise?

What Does It Mean? The most common interpretation of this old saying is that if the sky is red at night, it will be calm and fair sailing conditions the following day.

Red sky in the morning sailors take warning.

These classic sayings have been around for centuries. As sailors and fishermen were some of the first people to take to the waters, they developed a sophisticated understanding of the environment and its impact on their livelihoods. The phrases are believed to have originated in ancient Greece and eventually spread throughout Europe and then around the world. Sailors were especially keen to use this simple prediction method because they often relied on clear skies for their voyages.

red sky in the morning at the indian river inlet
Red sky in the morning with a fishing boat heading out of the Indian River Inlet into the Atlantic Ocean.

Modern science has found evidence to support this idiom, with certain atmospheric conditions causing red skies during sunsets. It is (now) known that when high pressure systems move in from the west and cause stable air masses, then you are likely to see a beautiful sunset with bright reds and oranges in the sky – which can be interpreted as an upcoming period of clear skies. In contrast, a gray, yellow/orange or red sunrise often signals rain because it is an indication of lower air pressure with more clouds and (possible) stormy conditions ahead.

Although this ancient saying is not always accurate, it can serve as a useful tool for sailors and others who are looking for an indication of upcoming weather patterns. By taking into consideration other factors such as wind direction, barometric pressure readings, cloud cover and temperature changes, people may be able to better gauge their chances for safe sailing conditions.

Yes, both of these photographs are available as wall art for your home or office. Click the images above or the links below to “go shopping” and see what is available.

Link to: Red Sky at Night

Link to: Red Sky in the Morning

Link to: The Indian River Collection at Bill’s Pictorem Gallery

Link to: Bill’s Indian River Collection at Fine Art America/Pixels


Simulated Watercolor from a Photograph

The Bridge Sunset at the Indian River photo is presented here in two distinct styles.

Art has been changing and evolving since the beginning of time. With advancements in technology, new methods of creating art are continually being developed. One such example is simulated watercolor from a photograph.

sunset under the indian river bridge
Sunset Under the Indian River Inlet Bridge in Simulated Watercolor

This technique offers artists a way of transforming digital images into beautiful works of art that look like traditional paintings done with watercolor paint. Not only does it provide an interesting way to create art, but it also allows for the artist to add their own creative touch to the piece.

The first step in creating a simulated watercolor from a photograph is to choose an image to work with. The image should be relatively small and simple enough that it can be reasonably reproduced using the watercolor effect. Having considerable contrast between the colors in the image helps to add a bit of drama the painting.

sunset under the indian river bridge
Here is the original Sunset Under Indian River Bridge photograph.

Tips for doing this yourself…

Creating a simulated watercolor from a photograph can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Choosing the right image to work with is essential in achieving this goal. The ideal image should be crisp and detailed, but also have soft edges and muted tonalities. This will make it easier to create the unique blend of realism and abstraction that makes a simulated watercolor distinctive.

In addition to having the right composition, it’s important to use a quality image that’s of high resolution. Low-resolution images can lose detail when converted into a watercolor, making certain painting techniques more difficult or even impossible to achieve. Also, try finding an image with few bright colors or highlights as these can be distracting in the finished product. With all these tips in mind, pick your perfect photo for creating your very own simulated watercolor.

Go ahead and give it a try. Or if you like what has been done here by Bill Swartwout Photography you can see more detail by clicking the images above or the links below.

Link to: Bridge Sunset at Indian River Watercolor

Link to: Bridge Sunset at the Indian River Inlet

Link to: Bill’s Indian River Inlet Collection

Link to: Bill’s Full Gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels