Lower Salmon River at Fall Creek

Known as the River of No Return, the Salmon is the longest undammed river in the contiguous US, dropping over 7,000 feet and flowing 425 miles, all within Idaho. This painting comes from a trip when the nearby creek was raging with spring runoff, causing the land to vibrate with its energy. Camping allows for longer, deeper explorations, and time for plein air studies. The warmth of sunshine on the undulating hillsides, carpeted in vibrant grasses made for a perfect afternoon of painting, and inspired this larger studio work.