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Jewels at My Feet

To borrow a few lines from one of Rick Springfield's songs from way back in the 1980's:

The one who seeks to pluck the stars

Will miss the jewels at his feet

I will come back to that thought in a moment. But first an experience.

Recently, I was painting in Teton National Park. Those of you who have been there know how majestic the mountain peaks are. They stand in rugged majesty, dominating the surrounding valley. It is about 7,000 vertical feet from the valley floor to the top of Grand Teton Peak (which stands at 13,776 ft or 4,199 m). It is impossible to be in the valley and not feel awe at the mountain's grandeur.

So enamouring is the view, that much of the subtler beauty of the valley is left unnoticed by many. Remove the Teton range and the valley still boasts magnificent beauty - scenery worthy of recognition. It is very possible to paint a million paintings in the valley even without ever painting the Tetons. Yet, most of the paintings from the area depict the iconic mountain range. And certainly, millions of visitors from around the world have essentially the same photographs.

They are missing the jewels at their feet.

Don't get me wrong - the Tetons are worthy of recognition, worthy of awe, worthy of respect. They are worthy of being depicted in paint and on film. I have painted them.

Even still, all too often, the most precious jewels (in terms of subject matter for an artist) are overlooked because of the dominance of the peaks.

© 2012, by Keith Bond, Schwabacher Landing (plein air), 12 x 16, oil on mounted linen

This painting, Schwabacher Landing, is a statement of the significance and worth of the often overlooked motifs - motifs in the shadow of those that command so much attention. Yes, the Tetons are in the background of this painting, but they are subordinate in this scene. The cluster of trees, fallen timber, and brush take center stage. There is beauty in these humble objects. There is beauty in their interaction and relation to one another.

I could have jumped out of my car and begun painting the obvious scene in front of me. No doubt, the peaks would have dominated the painting. But, I took the time to walk up and down the shoreline of the small side-channel of the mighty Snake River. I observed; I wondered; I pondered; I felt.

Exploring, pausing, retracing steps, pausing again - I began to gain the deeper significance of my surroundings. I began to recognize and hear the quiet, profound message of a landscape that must compete against the shout of the peaks.

Their message was a jewel at my feet worthy of my expression.

Take any scene, anywhere in the world, and there will be the obvious or dominant view that would seem like stars worthy of plucking. But take the time to observe and feel and connect to your surroundings, and you will begin to notice the jewels at your feet. Whether you are an artist or not, the next time you find yourself in nature, discover those jewels. They are far more precious.

Best Wishes,

Keith Bond

If you wish to add this jewel to your collection, contact me here or telephone me at 435.512.0247. This painting is $2000 and is framed in a beautiful, 22k gold, hand-crafted frame.