Listening to the Falls Beneath the Pines

In March, as the spring snow began to melt in Yosemite Valley, I sat beneath the pines and looked toward the distant waterfall. The wind moved through the branches while the water rushed down the granite cliffs, blending into one continuous rhythm. Near the shore, three ducks brought a quiet tenderness to the scene—two resting by the water’s edge, while one drifted gently across the surface.

About ninety percent of this painting was completed on location. I used varied brushwork to express the interwoven roots of the pine trees, the shifting density of the middle-ground forest, and the distant granite cliffs surrounding Yosemite Falls. Through this plein air experience, I hoped to capture not only the scenery, but also the sound, stillness, and early spring atmosphere of the valley.

The work will be on view and available for purchase at the 95th Annual California Landscape Exhibition at the Santa Cruz Art League.

Exhibition Dates: July 15–August 21, 2026
Reception: Friday, August 7, 2026, 5:00–7:30 PM