Snake River Overlook
Inspired by the famous 1942 photograph of Ansel Adams, this is the only floor to ceiling painting and the only one in black and white.
The idea of the mural was to render my interpretation of the Ansel Adams photograph and contrast it with the bright colors of the murals above the layout, in a way similar to what Dorothy experienced when she was transported via tornado from black and white Kansas to the colorful Land of Oz. We are transported from the Teton Range to the Wind River Range in this scene.
Square Top Mountain
Square Top Mountain is one of our favorite views in the Wind Rivers, and my painting is from a viewpoint between the Green River Lakes. The Upper Lake is in the mural and the Lower Lake is on the layout, where it presents as Yellowstone Lake as well.
Longs Peak
Seven Rivers Railroad is set in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, yet I had to allow myself the freedom to ignore the map and integrate scenes from Colorado and Arizona. Longs Peak, one of the iconic landmarks of the American Fur Trade and Pioneer eras, is depicted here with my version of what those brave souls imagined, as described in Centennial by James Michener.
Oxbow Bend, Mount Moran, Fremont Peak
Oxbow Bend is a treasured place in Grand Teton National Park. Here we have floated the Snake River many times, and visited the overlook in every season. I’ve pictured Autumn, and juxtaposed distant Fremont Peak in this scene. Look closely and you will find sleeping Sacagawea; just follow the wolf’s leering eyes!
Uncompahgre Peak and Greys River
My layout was first conceived while camping on the Greys River in Wyoming. As the painting evolved, I realized that the mountain on the left was the majestic Uncompahgre Mountain in the south west corner of Colorado. Included is a touch from my favorite movie!
Mount Evans, Laramie Plains, Monument Valley
I see the Mount Evans massif almost every day from the area where I live. I used it here as a backdrop for Elk Mountain and the Laramie Plains in Wyoming as well as Monument Valley in Arizona. The leaping brown trout was inspired by one of the monuments.
Soaring Eagle
The soaring eagle scene was my first full sized practice effort, based on an internet photo. I have no idea where it is!
Disclaimer: Any influence of Georgia O’Keeffe and Bev Doolittle is purely unintentional, but I do owe a debt of thanks to Bob Ross!
I mixed samples of ordinary interior latex paint and also used some tubes of acrylics for these murals.
Seven Rivers Railroad 