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"A Never-ending Cycle"

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To me the most fascinating part of the Yellowstone ecosystem has always been the abundance of processes and numerous cycles that seem to happen continuously. 

From the most obvious such as the life-cycle of say a bison, to the more discreet such as the average of almost 5 earthquakes per day, this place has a lot happening.

When I think about how I would describe such a place, what comes to mind are the bizarre experiences that one may have. From mysterious rumbles that echo from the depths of the mountains to animal encounters too close for comfort, this environment can surprise you at anytime. 

At times life seems to happen more quickly in the heart of this region. The pace at which the conditions change, the wildlife move, and the geological processes happen make for a very raw and unapologetic environment. At the same time, there's a certain beauty that emerges from all of this happening. 

Perhaps it's the new life that blossoms from death that helps make one's experience in Yellowstone country so unique and at the same time so special. The circle of life is on constant display here which commands respect and yet simultaneously provides an astounding sense of peace with its presence.

I wanted this painting to capture this feeling of serenity that I feel while I'm out in this country through the colors and stillness of the air. The swarm of magpies signal a source of food, likely a carcass of some kind worth scavenging.

A herd of bull bison traverse the valley floor as they roam the vast landscape..

A sight like this can be quite common in this beautiful place. In my eyes, this piece represents the passage of time, the intertwining relationships that exist in the wild, and the renewal of resources. I'm reminded of past experiences, both good and bad. I feel with this painting and I'm driven to imagine the possibilities of what stories could be found within it.

This painting is a brief window into the cycle of life. The ways in which the Yellowstone ecosystem can demonstrate this cycle is nearly unlimited and seemingly restricted only by the limits of our imagination.

I cherish places like these because in the most elegant way they show their raw truths, unfiltered and always at face value. This is why areas like Yellowstone I believe are at the heart of what makes our world's most wild places so special.

 30x40" Oil on Cradled Canvas Board
$8,500

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"Rising Above"

When spring is here in the valleys, but lagging behind in the high-country. This time of year is always a favorite of mine as the landscape changes almost daily at times. The snow begins to recede and the green starts to creep up the mountainsides, bringing life along with it. Each day the pattern of the snow-capped peaks change and each week there seems to be different color schemes of wildflowers.

Every year when late spring comes around I find myself getting out more to explore and learn. I love the vivid colors of autumn, but the colors that emerge in the spring are growing on me as well. When the time is just right and most of the mountains have cleared of the snowpack, the compositions can be astounding. Then combined with the fresh, rich colors of spring and for a short time, the views become a state of perfection.

I don't think I'm entirely positive what I'm looking for, but in a way I feel driven to uncover the unknown and discover untold stories. This is a time of year, that as a whole, I've spent the least amount of time exploring and there's a lot I feel I perhaps don't know. To me I see it as more opportunity to broaden the scope of what I do.

This painting came from a trip into Glacier country which is also an area I haven't spent but a fraction of my time in. There's a lot of area in the Northern country which I've never seen and want to venture out into. New areas are always the most exciting places to spend time in. The idea of exploring some new areas up this way and during this time of year interests me very much.

I hope to find new inspiration through these next couple of months through all of this. I plan to sketch and paint along the way to further my understanding of how my creative process can fit into this whole picture. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed the process of my latest 12x16. The varying degree of light bouncing off the mountainsides towering above the natural lake below is what captivates me the most. As the light races across the landscape, it reveals new color along the way which creates a sense of life that's next to nothing.

"Stillness"

Early mornings in the wilderness when the air is cool and the winds are non-existent is the best time to absorb it all. In the spring especially, the birds are lively, the smell of new growth is fresh, and the sun feels amazing.

 When the days are quiet and still, it gets me thinking more than other days. I like to imagine stories, scenes, or possibilities. 

This country I have a lot of history with, it's an area I spend a lot of time in. Some times are more special than others, this was one of those mornings that inspired this piece. 

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"All The Glory" - 30x40" Oil