In 2013 my partner Kyle and I ventured on an epic trip to Wyoming. For about 10 days we explored Yellowstone National Park as well as Teton National Park. We only had 3 days in the Tetons but we made the most of it. We backpacked Cascade/Paintbrush Canyons and did a few other day hikes as and shorter hikes which allowed us to experience the Tetons from all different directions and during different times of day. Each view, each moment was unique and breathtaking as everything in this area seems to be.
On our last day, we woke up early to check out the sunrise over Jenny Lake. It was spectacular as seen in Kyle’s Photo below. I combined that memory of those sweet, sunrise colors with the view of the Tetons from Cascade Canyon where we camped with the Youghiogheny head glass which I wanted to incorporate into a special project. What I got is this landscape “Teton Sunrise”. It captures various experiences into one image. So much is reborn into something new, something of my own. Yet it is an homage to what so many can relate to, whether they have stood where I stood and looked at these very mountains or whether they simply dreamed it because it lived inside of them or because they needed this place to inspire them. This landscape is real yet imaginary – you decide.
This mosaic is inspired by the soft rosy light that sometimes hits the legendary Teton Mountains in Wyoming during sunrise. These mountains always look majestic. They are always awe inspiring. The alpenglow though is an extra special sight to see. It is so brief that you want to breath in every moment of it. When the Tetons are surrounded by alpenglow, one really does feel like on a set of a fairytale but it is even better because it real. Time stops and you can’t take your eyes off of the mountains. The atmosphere is nothing short of magic, real magic here on earth. I created this mosaic as a reminder that these places are real, that these moments are real but if you don’t wake up early and don’t make the effort, you’ll think that this kind of magic only happens in our imaginations.
This version of the Tetons came about during the winter here in Colorado. The land is brown. The grass is straw. The colors are subdued. This is the West. During the winter, I often time travel, not just to different seasons but also places where I’ve took good memories from. The Teton Mountains are just that. They are also so Western. I’ve been thinking about those mountains, in those sepia tones before the snow covers them. After the snow melts but the bright spring hues have not come back yet. Then I add the sun! The sun always brings back the magic. In this mosaic I am looking at this beloved landscape being brought back to life during Magic Hour, that time during the day when it may be getting colder as the sun is calling it a night but not before reminding us of its majestic powers to do just what you see here.
