The United States established its first national park (Yellowstone) in 1872, and 58 more such entities have been created since then, one as recently as last year. Though Americans are sometimes accused of disrespecting their environment, the remarkably early date of Yellowstone’s designation suggests how prescient our ancestors actually were in protecting that treasure before it was compromised, and it is a credit to Congress that it has sustained
the initiative. This model has been followed energetically by most states and many other jurisdictions, and is now
emulated abroad, too.
Not surprisingly, artists have long sought inspiration and beauty in parks — not only in wilderness areas, but also
in cities and even sculpture gardens.
The artworks illustrated here all reflect this ongoing fascination, and they even include an example made by a colleague north of the border. We were particularly impressed to find so many superb depictions of the distinctive “red rock” areas of the Southwest, which explains why they are amply represented here.
With summer upon us, now is the perfect time to admire — and then go explore — America’s myriad parks. Happy rails.
Yellowstone National Park in art – Gallery
Jane DeDecker (b. 1961) The Elements Fountain (Fire, Earth, Wind, Water) Installed 2008, Bronze, 72 in. High Granite base (18 in. High) designed by John W. Kinkade Cerritos Public Sculpture Garden, CaliforniaAnnamarie Trombetta (b. 1963) Conservatory Garden, Central Park, New York City, South View (One of four panels in the Secret Garden: Homage to Bessie Potter Vonnoh project) 2000, Oil on canvas. Available from the artistAndre Balyon (b. 1951) Yellowstone’s Majesty 2013, Oil on linen, 50 x 66 in. S.R. Brennen Galleries (Scottsdale, Santa Fe, Palm Desert)Carole Cooke (b. 1949) Faithfully Magical (Yellowstone National Park) 2013, Oil on linen, 40 x 30 in. Legacy GalleryCheryl Price (b. 1953) Blues at Dusk (Saguaro National Park) 2013, Oil on linen 12 x 16 in.
Price’s painting won the Susan Kathleen Black Foundation Floral Art Award presented at the launch of the national touring exhibition America’s Parks II: Through the Beauty of Art.
Produced by David J. Wagner, LLC, this juried competition was open to all artworks depicting any park in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, with emphasis on the Southwest.
The show is on view through August 6 at the Wildlife Experience (Parker, Colorado), and will conclude at Tucson’s Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (September 13-October 26).
Cory Trepanier (b. 1968) Study for At The Edge (Kluane National Park, Yukon, Canada) 2014, Oil on linen, 6 x 16 in.Ed Zorensky (b. 1948) North Rim Sunyata (Grand Canyon National Park) 2013, Oil on canvas, 24 x 30 in. Available from the artistKathryn Stats (b. 1944) Spider Rock (Canyon de Chelly National Park) 2006, Oil on linen panel, 40 x 30 in. Available through the artist
Rachel Warner (b. 1974) Nine Pipes in Summer (Salish Kootenia Reservation) 2013, Oil on canvas, 50 x 50 in.Robert Highsmith (b. 1949) Indian Ponies(Canyon de Chelly National Monument) 2014, Watercolor on paper, 14 x 20 in. On view at Marigold Arts, Santa Fe July 11-August 28Stephen C. Datz (1968) Evening’s Peace (Grand Teton National Park) 2014, Oil on canvas board, 12 x 18 in.West Fraser (b. 1955) River Wharf (Fort Pulaski, Savannah River, Georgia) 2014, Oil on linen, 30 x 36 in. Helena Fox Fine Art, CharlestonJohn Poon (b. 1961) Mountains in the Distance (Mesa Verde National Park) 2014, Oil on canvas, 9 x 12 in.
Sold in May at the auction concluding the Mesa Verde Foundation’s second annual Rims to Ruins paint-out. Each of the 23 participating artists is now creating studio paintings for a more formal sale at the Wildlife Experience (Parker, Colorado) on November 5.
One part of the Benson Sculpture Garden (Loveland, Colorado), which features 139 sculptures permanently installed in a public park. These works have been acquired with proceeds from the annual Sculpture in the Park show and sale (sculptureinthepark.org), the largest outdoor juried project of its kind. Organized by the Loveland High Plains Arts Council, the 31st edition is set for August 9-10 and will welcome 160 artist participants.Robert Morris (b. 1931) Labyrinth 2014, Glass and steel, 62 x 62 x 62 feet, with walls 7 feet high Opened in May 2014 as a gift from the Hall Family Foundation to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 22-acre Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City Photo: John LambertonLinda Tippetts (b. 1943) Daybreak on Rising Wolf (Glacier National Park) 2008, Oil on linen, 30 x 36 in. Collection of the artist This August, Linda Tippetts will paint alongside Carole Cooke, Kathryn Stats, and Rachel Warner in Glacier National Park. A video diary of their adventure will be offered for sale during an exhibition at the Hockaday Museum of Art (Kalispell, Montana), Timeless Legacy: Women Artists in Glacier National Park. Doreen E. Lepore (b. 1949) Banks of Loxahatchee (Jonathan Dickinson State Park) 2010, Pastel on paper 9 x 12 in.
The artist created this work as part of the Paint the Parks program (painttheparks.com), founded by her California colleague Karin H. Leonard. Lepore will share her proceeds with the Treasured Lands Trust in her home state of Florida.
Dan Ostermiller (b. 1956) American Gold 1988, Bronze, 113 in. High Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis Photo courtesy Nedra Matteucci Galleries, Santa FeDoreen E. Lepore (b. 1949) Banks of Loxahatchee (Jonathan Dickinson State Park) 2010, Pastel on paper 9 x 12 in.James McGrew (b. 1975) Yosemite Valley Hidden View 2013, Oil on linen on panel, 8 x 10 in. Collection of the artistJerry Malzahn (b. 1946) Longs Peak (Rocky Mountain National Park) 2010, Oil on board, 14 x 20 in. David Cook Galleries, DenverKate Starling (b. 1956) Early Shadow on Angels Landing (Zion National Park) 2014, Oil on linen, 48 x 36 in. LaFave Gallery, Springdale, UtahKathryn Mapes Turner (b. 1971) Curtained Sky 2011, oil on canvas, 24 x 24 in.The sleeper hit in art books this past year has been Art of the National Parks: Historic Connections – Contemporary Interpretations, authored by Jean Stern, Susan Hallsten McGarry, and Terry Lawson Dunn and published by Fresco Fine Art Publications.
Featuring more than 450 illustrations and some 70 painters and sculptors, this handsome hardcover volume has been marketed with different dustcovers so that prospective buyers can honor their favorite national park; appearing on their covers so far are painted images of Acadia, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.
Wayne Salge (b. 1941) Cecil (Edition of 6) 2014, Bronze, 16 ft. High Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden Riverfront Park, Little Rock, Arkansas
