Tell me about your paintings. "First of all, I don’t try to record the literal details—I leave that to Mr. Jackson, the Survey’s photographer! A landscape painter should not trouble himself with reproducing the topography or the placement of every rock and tree. "In fact, an artist should feel free to move mountains, eliminate trees or change the light if need be! I have even removed entire towns from scenes when they did not suit me. An artist should paint ideal scenes! "My paintings will preserve the truth of Yellowstone's breathtaking beauty and emotional power, not its physical reality. Just look around you! Look at this gorgeous display of color! As an artist, you must portray the impression that nature produced when you gazed upon the scene.
"The geysers and other thermal features of Yellowstone are amazing—not to mention the wildlife! But, I must admit, it is this grand canyon that has captured my eye. Look at the effect of atmosphere and light on the colors of the canyon! An artist could paint this view a hundred times without tiring of it! "Remember my friend, portray the impression that nature produced when you gazed upon the scene!
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"The
old idea that art is best defined as ‘painting nature as
it looks…’ does not satisfy me. An artist’s business
is to produce for the spectator of his picture the impression
produced by nature on himself. Topography in art is valueless.
The motive or incentive of my "Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone"
was the gorgeous display of color that impressed itself upon me."
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