Dale, Congratulations you've successfully solved the mystery! Thank you for the information on the artist and the title of the painting!
The title of the painting is something that will be required as part of our next challenge and as mentioned above we'll be going with pieces of the painting and one clue.
This thread will remain open until tomorrow morning when the new challenge will be posted. Feel free to discuss this artist and add further links or information on this artist and/or this painting.
I found this site on Thomas Cole that I found really interesting: http://www.explorethomascole.org/
Callie, I think you're rite regarding the spear but it certainly would make an interesting country club.
Lucky you to have been able to see his paintings in person. Do you find the photograph does the painting justice?