This was my first visit to Yellowstone National Park. I’d made the journey with Sharon, who was once again performing at the Grand Teton Music Festival. She knew the area well and was eager to share some of her favorite haunts. We flew into Denver and made our way north, spending the night in Cody before taking the magnificent Beartooth Highway into the park from the northeast.
Nature’s Artwork, Weathered by Time
Near the Old Faithful area, this solitary, skeletal tree stopped me in my tracks. Stripped bare by the elements and bleached by sun and sulfur-rich air, its form had become pure line and texture—like something sculpted by hand. Smooth, coiled sections gave way to jagged edges, each fracture telling its own quiet story.
A Study in Texture, Shape, and Memory
I’ve always been drawn to subjects that reveal themselves slowly. This tree, with its spiraled grain and fragmented silhouette, is one I can stare at for hours—tracing its whorls, breaks, and timeworn elegance. It holds the drama of a thunderstruck sentinel, yet remains peaceful in its stillness.
Timeless, Tonal, and Deeply Evocative
The decision to render this image in black and white was immediate. Monochrome enhances the complexity of the textures and gives the composition a timeless presence—removing distractions and allowing the story in the wood to speak more clearly.
You can enjoy the detail of this tree in your own space.
Edition Details-
Limited Edition of 15 prints, with 2 Artist Proofs.
