During a week long trip to Yellowstone National Park, I spent time hiking, observing and feeling the magic of the park.  I explored the canyon rim above the Yellowstone River and looked down at the rushing water in the distance. I hiked through the rolling hills, watching the white water flowing through and shaping the landscape around me. The canyon walls that shoot down from the hills to meet the river are mighty and steep. The water mists them as it runs its course. As it passes, it gives life and creates a unique ecosystem along the canyon walls where moss, shrubs and trees grow. Looking further toward the waterfall, the details start blending in, the colors are blended creating abstract compositions in this natural landscape. Further above the waterfall, is a forest filled with big trees. Of course from a distance they are tiny, coming together to be a large patch of dark green.

In my mosaic, I wanted to show both that lovely turquoise hue of the river that fascinated me as well as the strength of the white water. In the sky I wanted to express light, wispy clouds weaving in and out between a lovely colored blue sky. I wanted to highlight the trees in the background forest as much as the trees in the foreground, giving each one just as much value. I hand picked all the glass for this project, searching out for the right patterns and colors that would evoke the feeling of looking at the details of the canyon walls blending together in the distance as well as the sky that complimented the water.