The story behind the artwork

Death Valley National Park is full of fans. Alluvial fans. When you think of Death Valley you usually think of a hot desert valley. But I think of canyons. The valley is lined with mountains which are riddled with canyons. Wild dark steep and deep canyons whose contents spill into the valley from years and years of infrequent but raging flash floods. This fan-shaped pile of debris can make for a nasty canyon entrance or exit.

I spent a few days backpacking with friends into one of these canyons crossing the rocky slope to enter. The sensation of going far, and at the same tiime nowhere, was undeniable. It was worth it though, because once you finally got inside the canyon, you're in a special place. Shaded and contoured like cool marble slides, the polished rock makes you feel you are light years away from the dusty desert valley. You can hike up one canyon, cross a ridge, and come back out another canyon. It makes for a unique discovery. You really feel the isolation. It's as if the rest of the world just stops spinning for a few days. There's no cell phone reception, only the wind channeling through the canyon to remind you of the way you came from. At night you can look up into the sliver of stars that the giant canyon walls fail to obstruct and feel isolated but peaceful.

fan
acrylic on canvas
36x12"

Additional Links:

Read more about Death Valley's alluvial fans.