Winter on the North Fork

This is the North Fork or Henry's Fork of the Snake River. I went to my grandaughter's wedding in Rexburg, Idaho in Febuary. After the wedding, I took a drive out west of town to the river. It was a cold day, with frost on the trees. I took twenty or so photos of the area. This is the one I chose because of the peaceful muted colors. There were just a few ripples on the water that made for some great reflections.

Winter Below Twin Bridges

The South Fork of the Snake River runs through Eastern Idaho just north of Ririe Idaho.  At this point the river splits into two chanels, each having a bridge. The area is called Twin Bridges. This was in Febuary, crisp and cold. The blue of the sky, the dark of the water and the variety of blues in the shadows made for a great painting.

Provo River Falls IV

This little painting (12X16) is the 4th from this area. We took family pictures here because there is a mile of beautiful rock formations and water falls. This painting was a Christmas present to my wife (It also saved me from shopping!). Provo Falls is in the High Uinta Mountains, Utah. It is an absolutely fascinating place to visit. Take the whole family!

Lower Yellowstone Falls

This is Lower Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone Natianal Park. The Yellowstone River falls 308 ft into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This is painted from Uncle Toms Trail about 250 feet from the top. It drops into the canyon along the rock cliffs. You can almost hear the roar of the falls, and feel the mist on your face. The painting is 48"X36"

Diamond Fork



The fishing is great here. The Diamond Fork River flows out of the Strawberry Reservoir, Utah. This section of the river runs by some of Utahs red rock formations. Fall colors are always fun to paint. 

 

Bryce Canyon III

Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce is on the rim of a plateau. You can look down into the rock formations, or look for miles into the distance. This is a must see for everyone.

Bright Angel Point

Bright Angel Point, North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The sun is just coming up over the rim. On this day the wind was blowing at 40 miles an hour, with gusts stronger. Morning or evening is the best time to veiw the canyon. It gives great contrast between light and shadows. Spectacular!

Swan Valley

Swan Valley is in Eastern Idaho. The Sake River flows out of Wyoming into Idaho and the Palasades Reservoir. It flows out of the reservoir into the Swan Valley and spreads out in the flat land. Beautiful area!

San Juan Capistrano Mission

San Juan Capistano Mission. This is only one building of an old community, built by the Spanish and Indians. I would take the family and walk the halls and patios here. I would wonder of the many lives and hours it took to build this complex. The Swallows return to nest here on the same day every year since it was built. 

Little Neatsu River II

We were invited by a good freind to visit Oregon a couple of years back and were amazed at how green everything was. We drove up and down the coast, up canyon roads and hiked into several waterfalls. We drove along this river and about every half mile I would get out and go down to the river to take a picture.

 

Little Neatsu River I

Green, green everywhere! This is my 1st painting the coastal area of Oregon. I will paint more of that beautiful state. Seascapes, Waterfalls and more.

Big Cottonwood Canyon

We were in Salt Lake City and decided to take a drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Fall was in the air, and we hiked about a half mile along side Big cottonwood creek. The sun was just going behind the mountain putting us in the shadow, but still illuminating the trees. We were almost running to catch the fleeting sun light. I have painted several scenes from that afternoon. See if you can find all of them.

Horseshoe Bend Left

I have driven Highway 89 just south of Page, Arizona many times and did not know that I was within 1 mile of this famous spot on the Colorodo River. On one of those trips I saw a small sign on the side of the road that read Horseshoe Bend. I thought, "That can't be the Horseshoe Bend!" I turned around and drove down a short dirt road to a parking area, hiked up a sandhill and out through the desert. You can't see this spot until you are within 100 yards of the rim. Breathtaking!

Horseshoe Bend Right

This area is so wide that I decided to paint it on two canvases, the left and right side. I love painting the red rock country of Utah and Arizona. I hope you enjoy the paintings. If you are in the area this is well-worth the time and the effort.

Provo Falls I

I can't say enough about this section of the Provo River. To me it is like going to Disneyland to the kids. There a five paintings so far and who knows how many more. The whole family can enjoy a day here. Take a picnic and have fun.

Kolob Sunset

On the east side of Interstate 15 about half way between Cedar City and St George, Utah is an entrance to Zions National Park. You will drive in for about five miles, then turn around and drive out. The scenery is well-worth the time. On this trip, it had snowed and the contrast with the red rocks made great photos and some great paintings.

Provo Falls II

Each time I go to Provo River Falls I get different lighting and a different mood. If you have never bean there, make plans for this summer. I'll see you there.

Coffee Pot Rapids

This is one of those spots that mostly locals know about. It takes some hiking, but it is worth it. It is part of the North Fork of the Snake River in Island Park, Idaho. It flows along easy until it enters the canyon, then for about 3/4 mile it's rapids and deep pools.

Moose Falls III

Moose Falls is 50 yds off the main highway in Yellowstone National Park. 95% of tourists never know it's there. How sad! Its a beautiful falls from any angle. 

Mayor of Cottonwood Canyon

This is one of those painting that I had to paint just to see if I could capture the lights and shadows; also, the colors in the rocks and water. It was a fun painting to do. No, the cougar was not there when I was. How- ever this is cougar country.

Willow Creek

Willow Creek runs off the hills and dry farms south east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. This creek had some good-sized browns, coca nee and rainbow trout. My wife won't let me fish it anymore. The last time I was there with my son, we saw 20 or more rattle snakes within a mile's stretch of water.

Kolob Canyon II

Kolob Canyon is part of Zions National Park, but you wont see it in the main part of the park. Find it on the map and plan a trip. One of my favorites to visit and to paint.

Oregon Coast

We walked down a flight of wood stairs to look at things in the tide pools, checked out the star fish, anemone and stuff. I painted this of the rocks and surf. There is something about the coastline that keeps calling me. 

Snow Melt

We took a hike up to Long Lake in the Uinta Mountains in the spring. There were still piles of snow here and there. This is just a pool of run-off that would be there and gone within a week. I was impressed with the reflection on the water, and that I could also see the bottom. It became a challenge to me to paint the scene as it was.

Moran Sunset

Mt Moran, Grand Teton National Park is, I think, the most painted mountain in the world. It is a magnificent and majestic mountain from any angle. This view is from across Oxbow Bend as the sun sets behind it. Put Grand Teton on your bucket list.

Blue Mountains

The Upper Provo River runs through the Uinta Mountains in Utah. The sun is just coming over the mountain and lighting up the morning mist, making the distant blue mountains almost glow.

Kolab Canyon III

Kolob Canyon, part of Zions is one of my favorite side trips off  I 15.

Navajo Canyon

Navajo Canyon is accessible only by boat from Lake Powell. On a sunny day the water is a beutiful blue that sets off the red rocks. The light reflecting off the water lights up the shadows so the rocks almost glow.

Red Fish Creek

Red Fish Creek flows out of Red Fish Lake in central Idaho. It is in the Stanley Basin, headwaters of the Salmon River. In the spring the Koconee Samon swim up the river, so many that the river is all red. I caught my 1st fish there when I was about five years old. 

Kolab Canyon I

This is my first painting of Kolob Canyon. It was my first trip there on a hot August afternoon. Like most travelers I had driven by many times. This time I was looking for a place to stretch my legs.

Upper Provo River

After the Provo River leaves the area called Provo River Falls, it takes a fast trip over solid rock for several miles. Although not quite so spectacular, there are hundreds of rapids like this.

Teton Indians

Looking south across Jackson Lake with the Teton Range in the distance, I decided that I needed something in the forground. So I invited a family of Indians....Not really. I just painted them in.

Trail to Moran

I have always liked this view of Mt Moran. The meadows have these large rocks that look like someone just picked them  up and placed them there.

Mesa Falls

Upper Mesa Falls, Island Park, Idaho. This is the North Fork of the Snake River as it runs through the canyon. I have fished the rapids below the falls, using crayfish that you can pickup in the shallow water at the edge. Great sport! We stopped by here on our Honeymoon. My bride was so impressed, she cried. We also saw a black bear come down for a drink.

Leo Carrillo Beach

Leo Carrillo Beach is located a few miles up the coast from Malibu. Spent some sunny days here with the Family. I have painted this scene many times. This one I did as a moonlight painting. I like the way it turned out.

Triplet Quakies

I drove up to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for an art show, but it was rained out. As I was leaving town the clouds started to break up over the mountains. I came home with alot of ideas for paintings. I liked the clouds on the Tetons.

Cottonwood Creek II

This in another painting from our Big Cottonwood Canyon hike. We were lucky to catch the sun just right for some fantastic pictures. 

Cottonwood Creek I

This painting is the 1st from Big Cottonwood Canyon. All the paintings so far are from not more than a mile of trail. Add it to your Bucket List to visit this Fall. You will be glad that you took the time.

Moose Falls II

This painting is my personal favorite of Moose Falls. I had to climb down between some rocks get this view.

Moose Falls I

I call this painting Moose Falls I. The actual 1st painting sold at the Freedom Festival in Provo, Utah many years ago, and I don't have any photogaphs of it. I'm sure there wiil be several more later on.

Provo River Falls III

Each trip I take to Provo River Falls, I have different lighting. This was earlier in the morning on an high overcast day with the sun peeking through every now and then. The shadows were darker and the colors slightly muted.

Henrys Fork

This painting is part of the Coffee Pot Rapids area. The otherside of the river is usually in bright sun but this side has a lot of light and shadow, making for some great contrast.

Bryce Canyon I

My wife does not like this painting because of the burnt trees in the foreground, but I like it. I think it adds character. As I said before about Bryce Canyon, you can look down on the rock formations, or look for miles toward the horizon.

Idaho Clouds

I lived northeast of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and I used to watch the cloud formations float by on a warm summer day. This is from my front yard, looking southeast toward Iona Hill.

Lazy Day Clouds

When I paint clouds, I want to make them look like they are really floating in the air.

Coffee Pot Trail

When you hike down the trail to Coffee Pot Rapids, the trail will hold as much interest and beauty as the rapids do. Enjoy the hike.

Yesterday I was Tired, Today I am Retired

This old retired combine rests along side of the railroad tracks in Iona, Idaho. I painted it with the foothills in the background.

Provo River

This is the lower Provo River, before it flows through the city of Provo,Utah. The Heber Creeper, an old steam engine train, travels the canyon year around to Heber and back with its siteseers.This is a great family outing.

Madison River

The Madison River, Yellowstone National Park. This is fly fishing at its best.

Strawberry River

The Strawberry River feeds the Strawberry Resevour,Utah. This is from the outlet, below the dam. Take a day off and go fishing.