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How I
came to paint "Red Canyon, Lander"
In mid-August 2004, I
took a trip to Lander, Wyoming in the west-central part of the
state. Don't ask me why, I don't know. It was just a place I
had never been to and had heard about so I thought, what the heck
I'd check it out. The journey from Salt Lake City to Lander is
pretty un-remarkable for the most part until you get fairly close to
Lander. Once you leave I 80 and head north on the State highways, the countryside
becomes mostly rolling plains dotted with
farms, and miscellaneous livestock. About 10 miles south of
Lander on State Road 287 all that changes. You come around a bend in
the road and all of a sudden the rolling plains are interrupted by
this absolutely stunning ribbon of red rock called "Red Canyon."
Needless-to say, I was instantly captivated. I pulled off the
highway and began snapping photos from every conceivable angle.
A storm was approaching and the light play on the face of Red Canyon
was mind blowing. I have made 2 subsequent trips to Lander
since 2004 each time exploring some new aspect of the canyon and
surrounding area. After my first trip, I decided to paint "Red
Canyon, Lander". I drove the road (you can see in the
painting), and got some really interesting material for future
paintings. Lander is a beautiful little gem of a town and has
the distinction of serving the best steaks I have ever had at
the "Hitchin Rack" restaurant. If you ever find yourself in
the wilds of Wyoming, I recommend you swing by Lander, have a steak
at the Hitchin Rack, drive up Red Canyon road and soak up the landscape! |
