NEXT DROP:
"The Edge"
Edges, they exist everywhere in nature. The edge of a forest or a field. The edge of a lake. The edge of a cliff or perhaps the edge between civilization and the wild. These transitions are where wildlife are often most present, as they use them as travel corridors. There's another kind of edge that exists throughout many places in the wilderness and those would be the ones of burns.
From red to green, the edge of a wildfire burn is a stark difference of appearances and a reminder of life and death. Fires will rip through a dense, forested valley in a matter of minutes, leaving behind a sea of what looks like toothpicks and dirt.
Give it a year or two though, and the burn area bounces back with a rich variety of forbs and grasses. These places of rejuvenation then become a vital food source for many grazing animals in the years to come. The edges in particular become heavily used as it's a natural border between safety and good feed. It also makes these places attractive to other kinds of animals..
Predators like wolves key in on these highly-used edges to seek out their prey. These edges can even restructure territorial boundaries amongst such carnivores as well.
This piece captures the beauty of these transitions and the wildlife that use them. Life comes full circle along the edges of burns and to me, exhibits the relationships that animals have with their habitat in real-time. It holds many special and personal meanings to me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it. I've posted the time-lapse video on my YouTube if you want to watch the process of me creating it.
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30x40" Oil on cradled canvas board, ready to hang or frame. This painting appears the same as stretched canvas, but with a board backing. Sides are 2" deep.
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"Memories Untold"
Simply put, time spent in the wild is time well spent. Wandering the landscape is what we were made for, and the wild always rewards this. Whether it's an attempt to discover, to gather, to heal, or to learn, one can find just about anything they're looking for while out exploring our natural world. I would say that I find myself searching for all of these things depending on the time of year or how I'm feeling.
Venturing out into nature might be out of necessity or for personal pleasure, but in either case, the memories we're given in return seem to check both boxes. For me, it does not matter if I'm alone or there to share these memories with others, there's purpose in it all.
Exploring the countryside with others can build lasting relationships and strengthen the bond of friendship. Experiences created as a group can heighten great memories and lift up the ones that perhaps we'd rather forget. Whatever the purpose of the trip, sharing it with a partner adds dimension and sometimes even a higher meaning for why you're there.
Being alone in the wilderness on the contrary is a journey of self exploration. Many times the physical and mental struggles of being alone leaves oneself pondering why they're out there to begin with. Often times it leaves me thinking what the point of putting myself through these challenges is if I have no one to share the memories with. What I've learned however is that when you find yourself in these types of situations, you discover who you really are. The knowledge I gain about myself through these hard times becomes infinitely valuable when facing challenges in life. The memories I create alone I think give me strength and ground me in what's most important.
I often wonder what the land has witnessed prior to my visit. I'm fascinated by what memories others have created in years past or even centuries past. I wonder how many of these stories go untold and which ones I'm unaware of. I reflect on my own memories often as well. Many of these personal experiences have become vague in my thoughts, drowned out by the sheer number that I have. It makes me realize that many of my own memories have most likely gone untold as well.
I was inspired to paint this scene after stumbling across what I thought would make a perfect camp. The storm clouds swept over the bright green valley's floor, illuminated by the sunset and creating a perfect view of the landscape. Shortly thereafter, I discovered an old fire ring grown over with moss and grass. Someone had the same idea at some point long ago.
In this painting I imagine a freshly made camp with the fire just started. Is it a solo explorer or a group expedition? To that I'm unsure, but it intrigues me to wonder. In either scenario I'm sure that the memories made will be well worth it.
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30x40" Oil on cradled canvas board, ready to hang or frame. This painting appears the same as stretched canvas, but with a board backing. Sides are 2" deep.
SOLD
I've been in search of a deeper understanding for what I do and I think painting on location has been helping me think a little more clearly on that. Spending a lot of time sitting and observing the landscape and the weather has me reminded of a painting I did earlier this spring which is actually this week's original painting drop.
The weather can have such a dramatic and changing effect on the landscape. Storms can provide a different perspective of how we think about the land. I'm drawn to moments like this and studying this through my work has been an ongoing focus of mine.
$1,600
"Force Of Nature"
I've been in search of a deeper understanding for what I do and I think painting on location has been helping me think a little more clearly on that. Spending a lot of time sitting and observing the landscape and the weather has me reminded of a painting I did earlier this spring which is actually this week's original painting drop.
The weather can have such a dramatic and changing effect on the landscape. Storms can provide a different perspective of how we think about the land. I'm drawn to moments like this and studying this through my work has been an ongoing focus of mine.
$1,600
SOLD
"A Never-ending Cycle"
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.
