Shattered Wild: The Grizzly's Domain

The  mountain range in the background represents the grandeur of the park’s geology, likely inspired by the  Absaroka Range , one of the most iconic features in Yellowstone. These mountains remind me of nature’s permanence, yet their jagged peaks suggest a fragility, a reminder that even the mightiest landscapes can be reshaped by time.  

As I layered in the  autumn trees , I felt drawn to the vibrant colors of orange and red—hues that signify change. Autumn in Yellowstone is a time of transformation, a fleeting moment when the park’s flora and fauna prepare for the coming winter. These colors evoke a sense of warmth amidst the cold wilderness, much like the way our lives shift through seasons, each bringing its own beauty and challenges.  

The  grassy plains are Yellowstone’s vast open spaces, where wildlife like bison and elk roam freely. These plains are the foundation of the park’s ecosystem, supporting an incredible diversity of life. For me, they symbolize freedom, the boundless possibility that exists when nature is left to thrive without interference.  

The  fragmented texture that runs through the piece was a deliberate choice. It’s as if we are looking at Yellowstone through a shattered window—a metaphor for how we often view nature from a distance, detached and fragmented in our understanding. I wanted to create a feeling of mystery, of layers yet to be uncovered, because that’s what Yellowstone is: a place with endless stories waiting to be discovered beneath its surface.  

The  blue tones that dominate the piece bring a sense of calm and serenity. Blue often symbolizes tranquility, yet here it feels cold, almost detached, much like the wild unpredictability of Yellowstone’s weather and terrain. The  grizzly’s fur is rendered in rich, earthy browns, grounding the image in nature’s rawness, while the  orange autumn leaves add warmth, creating a contrast that reflects the balance of power and peace found in the park.  

The fragmented blues in the texture also represent the delicate balance between human interaction with nature and the preservation of wilderness. The  autumn colors remind me of change—both in nature and in ourselves. There’s an emotional weight to seeing the landscape through these fractured layers, as if reminding us that while Yellowstone’s wild beauty may endure, it is also fragile and must be protected.  

Yellowstone National Park , established in  1872 , is the world’s first national park and a symbol of the American conservation movement. The  grizzly bear has long been an iconic species within the park, representing both the strength of the wilderness and the efforts to preserve these majestic creatures. Once threatened by habitat loss and hunting, the  grizzly population in Yellowstone has rebounded thanks to conservation efforts, symbolizing hope for the future of wildlife protection.  

In creating this piece, I felt a deep connection to the idea of resilience—both in nature and in ourselves. The  grizzly bear reminds me that strength isn’t always about aggression; sometimes, it’s about quiet endurance. Much like the bear, we move through life’s seasons—its autumns of change and winters of struggle—yet we continue to stand tall.  

The  fragmentation in the artwork represents how we often experience life: in pieces, incomplete, and yet, when viewed from a distance, the whole becomes clear. Yellowstone, with its towering mountains, vast plains, and untamed wildlife, is much like our own inner landscapes—wild, beautiful, and resilient, even when we feel fractured.  

Through this piece, I wanted to evoke a sense of awe for Yellowstone’s raw beauty, but also a reminder of our role as stewards of this land. The  grizzly bear is a symbol not only of nature’s power but also of its vulnerability. It reminds us that while we are a part of this world, we must tread lightly, respecting the delicate balance that allows places like Yellowstone to endure for future generations. This artwork, for me, is a call to reflect on that responsibility—to preserve the wildness both within ourselves and in the world around us.