The Pulse of Nature: Old Faithful’s Eternal Rhythm

At the heart of the image is the Old Faithful Geyser, its famous plume of steam rising powerfully into the sky. It erupts with a sense of timeless rhythm—something that has been part of this landscape for millennia. As I created this artwork, I thought about the way Old Faithful symbolizes nature’s predictability within unpredictability. It erupts at intervals of 44 to 120 minutes, and yet each eruption is unique, reminding us that nature follows its own rhythms, indifferent to our sense of time.
Beneath Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring adds a burst of vibrant color to the composition. Its deep, sapphire blue center radiates outward in rings of greens, yellows, and fiery oranges, mimicking the energy of the earth’s core. The spring’s colors are created by the unique microbial mats that thrive in its hot waters, a vivid reminder of how life adapts to even the harshest conditions. The vivid oranges and blues within the spring represent the earth's inner heat and the calm serenity of the natural world above, a contrast that is central to Yellowstone’s landscape.
The geothermal landscape that surrounds these features is filled with layers of texture, rugged earth, and flowing abstract forms. These forms represent both the flow of steam and water, and the constant, slow movement of the earth’s crust—shaping and reshaping the landscape over time. I wanted to capture the feeling that everything is in motion, even when we can’t see it. There’s a constant pulse to the earth that moves below the surface, and in places like Yellowstone, we are given a glimpse of that inner energy.
In terms of color, the dominance of cool blue tones in the upper portion of the piece suggests a sense of calmness and expansiveness, reminiscent of the wide-open skies and the cooling steam rising from the geyser. This blue evokes a feeling of serenity, making the viewer feel like they are standing in the cool morning air, watching nature at its most peaceful.
In contrast, the warm earthy colors in the lower half—burnt oranges, yellows, and browns—bring in the heat, representing the geothermal energy beneath Yellowstone. These colors speak of fire, warmth, and the ever-present volcanic forces at play beneath the surface. Together, these two color schemes form a balance between peace and power, stillness and movement.
The abstract flowing forms running throughout the composition are a metaphor for the unseen forces of creation and destruction that shape our world. As I painted these forms, I was reflecting on how the earth is constantly in motion, constantly changing. Yellowstone, with its bubbling geysers, colorful springs, and unpredictable volcanic activity, is the perfect representation of this energy.

Old Faithful is one of the most famous geysers in the world, named during the Washburn Expedition of 1870 and has been a symbol of Yellowstone National Park since it was established in 1872. The park itself is part of the Yellowstone Caldera, a massive volcanic system that remains active to this day. The Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States, is another testament to the geothermal forces that have shaped this region for millions of years.
The colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring are not just beautiful—they are scientifically fascinating. The rainbow hues come from heat-loving bacteria that live in the spring’s waters, with each color representing a different temperature zone. This natural phenomenon is a reminder of how life adapts and thrives in extreme conditions, a testament to the resilience of nature.

As I worked on "The Pulse of Nature," I found myself reflecting on how nature mirrors the creative process. Just as Old Faithful erupts with a burst of energy after a period of stillness, creativity often works in cycles—moments of quiet followed by moments of intense inspiration. The colors in the piece—the deep blues, fiery oranges, and earthy browns—felt like a representation of those creative forces bubbling beneath the surface, waiting to be released.
I felt a connection to the Grand Prismatic Spring as I worked, its vibrant colors speaking to the way that creativity often thrives in the most unexpected places. The abstract forms that flow throughout the piece represent the way ideas move and shift, sometimes taking form in ways we don’t anticipate. I wanted to capture the feeling that even when we don’t see it, there’s always energy and movement beneath the surface.
This artwork is not just about Yellowstone; it’s about the relationship between power and beauty, between creation and destruction, and the way those forces are constantly at play in both nature and the creative process. The contrasting colors, the swirling forms, and the powerful presence of Old Faithful all come together to remind us that creation is an ongoing process, one that is filled with both moments of quiet and moments of explosive brilliance.
Through this piece, I hope to convey a sense of wonder and awe, not just for Yellowstone itself, but for the creative forces that shape our world and our inner lives. It’s a reminder that beneath the surface, there is always something waiting to emerge, something powerful and beautiful, just like the eruptions of Old Faithful.