18x24", oil on linen panel, 2018. Available from the Artist $4700
Painted en plein air during the inaugural Yellowstone Plein Air Invitational, September 25-30, 2018.
This quiet spot, located along a short diverted drive running west to east between Norris and Canyon Junction, is often missed by tourist hurrying to the more publicized Yellowstone attractions. Here, the Gibbon River runs through frosted grasses before dropping over the Virginia Cascades.
I started this painting at 6 am, one hour before the sun broke the horizon so that I could have all the primary forms in place before the sun created the light effect I wanted to capture. The temperature was below freezing, and I was bundled up with some hand warmers in my shoes and a hot water bottle in my lap.
Apparently, I had also positioned myself along the morning path of a red fox. I stopped him in his tracks and added some curiosity to his morning romp through the grasses.