Tetons Paintings
"One of my favorite spots on earth is around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I have been going there since I was 10 years old. Early on, I went with my family to camp out on the shores of Jenny Lake or visit Yellowstone National Park and ogle the bears that used to come right up to the cars and beg for food. Later, when I was 16-19 I went to Jackson with my ski team, Alpine Training School, to participate in the slalom, giant slalom and downhill races.
In the early days, the races were on Snow King Mountain in Jackson itself. One year, it was so cold on race day that hardly any car in Jackson would start. Fortunately, my team was staying close to Snow King so we could walk to the mountain and race. After a couple of seasons there, the races moved to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort which was just being built and had barely opened. I met and became friends with another racer, Bruce Morley whose dad Alex built the resort. I got to stay with Bruce at the Morley's once when I was up there to race. Great guys, Bruce and his dad! We had a downhill race that first winter at the new resort. It was -35 degrees for the race. It was so cold we doubled up, long underwear and two layers of ski pants--I looked like the Michelin Man. Amazingly, I won that race, I think it was because I was so cold and had use the john so badly that I flew down the mountain so I could get to the men's room before I burst...
After my skiing adventures, now as an adult, I returned to
Jackson with art in mind. I like millions of others
was attracted to Horse Shoe Bend with its spectacular view
of the Tetons. I have done 3 paintings of this area
and plan to do more. My usual M.O. is to get up before
dawn and catch the sunrise hitting the Tetons and reflecting
in the Snake River. There is always abundant wildlife
in the area, elk, deer, pelicans, moose, you name it.
My Tetons paintings are done in my usual highly detailed
style. I try to capture not only the moment, but also
the sense of space and magnitude which is tricky given that
these particular paintings are only 8.5 x 13 or 8 x 18.5
inches in dimension. I love this place! There
will be more paintings. In the immortal words of
Arnold "I'll be back"
Blackburn Studios