Cracks in Time: Yellowstone’s Raw Power

The  geyser eruption at the center is an iconic element of Yellowstone, instantly bringing to mind the park’s signature feature:  Old Faithful , which has been erupting with near precision for thousands of years. This eruption represents power—both the untamed power of nature and the reliability that comes from its ancient rhythms. To me, it’s a metaphor for life—unpredictable yet cyclical, powerful yet familiar.  

The  mountain range standing in the background emphasizes Yellowstone’s grandiosity and timelessness. Mountains are natural monuments, standing witness to the passage of time and the changing landscapes of history. For me, these mountains are not just physical entities; they represent strength and endurance. They also make us, as human beings, feel small in comparison to the vastness of nature.  

The  orange and amber hues that dominate the image evoke the intense geothermal energy that lies beneath Yellowstone. These colors speak of heat, transformation, and life itself. Orange is often associated with creativity and vitality, and in this piece, it reflects both the park’s dynamic energy and my own process of creation. In many ways, this piece was an exploration of finding beauty within power, of seeking to harmonize intensity with serenity.  

In the lower half, the  geothermal pool represents the still, mysterious beauty of Yellowstone’s landscape. Known for its surreal and otherworldly qualities, Yellowstone's geothermal features are unlike any other. They hold an eerie calm amidst the explosive energy, reminding me of the park's delicate balance between life and destruction.  

The  bison —a vital symbol of Yellowstone—stands quietly, a testament to the resilience of nature. Bison have roamed the park for thousands of years, surviving harsh winters, volcanic eruptions, and human interference. For me, bison symbolize strength and the endurance of life in the face of unimaginable challenges. They are living relics, deeply connected to both the land and the history of the American West.  

The  abstract fragmentation in this piece was an intentional design to illustrate how we experience nature in pieces. We can never fully capture or comprehend it, but in fragments, we find beauty. The broken lines and layered textures were my way of showing how nature breaks through our understanding, how it resists being contained or fully defined.  

The  orange and amber hues throughout the piece suggest warmth, life, and transformation. These are colors of fire, energy, and creativity. They evoke feelings of intensity and action, much like Yellowstone’s constantly shifting geothermal landscape. The  deep blues and greens from the geothermal pool add a layer of calm and serenity, balancing the fire with water. The coolness of these colors draws the viewer into a sense of peace amid the surrounding chaos.  

Yellowstone was established as the world’s first national park in  1872 , and it remains one of the most geologically active regions on Earth. The park is home to over  10,000 geothermal features, including the  Old Faithful Geyser and the iconic  Grand Prismatic Spring , one of the largest hot springs in the world. The  bison have been a crucial part of the park’s ecosystem, dating back to prehistoric times.  

Creating this piece felt like a journey into the heart of Yellowstone—an attempt to capture not just its beauty but its raw, elemental power. The geyser is the centerpiece because, to me, it symbolizes that moment of awe when nature reveals its strength. The fragmentation is a reminder that, as humans, we only ever see pieces of the whole, but those pieces are enough to change us.  

I’ve always been drawn to the contrast between power and serenity, and Yellowstone embodies this in a way no other place can. In this artwork, I wanted to explore the tension between these forces—how something as calm as a geothermal pool can exist in the same place as an explosive geyser. Life, much like nature, is filled with this push and pull of opposing forces.  

When I look at this piece, I am reminded of how fleeting our experience of nature can be. We are visitors, brief witnesses to something far greater than ourselves. And yet, in that brief moment, nature leaves an indelible mark on us. This artwork is my way of honoring that experience—the feeling of standing in the presence of something timeless and powerful, and yet knowing that my time there is just a fleeting fragment of a much larger story.  

In the end, this piece is about both connection and disconnection—how we can feel so deeply connected to nature, even though we are only seeing a fraction of its full story. It’s that tension between power and fragility, the eternal and the transient, that I wanted to express.