Art with an emphasis on nature or the environment can have different effects on an audience whether intended or unintentional. In the exhibit I have put together often the art is used as promotional material in ways to encourage people to visit and travel to National Parks. The art can be used in a way to create pride and joy for our beautiful country, to promote Nationalism. Also, art with an emphasis on National Parks can encourage people to take care of our environments whether by being ‘green’ or even by donating time or effort to cleaning up or conservation work.
This mural was painted by Ed Tussey in 2008 and is titled The Kenai Fjords after the Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward. Ed Tussey is a sourdough of Alaska and it shows in his work with his attention to detail and how real his art appears. I love this piece of art, because of the beautiful representation Tussey creates of the Coastal park. Tussey has been awarded recognition on state and national levels and is a popular artist.
This painting was done by Bill Brody in 2009 and it titled Clouds Above Tebay Lakes after the Wrangell Saint Elias National Park. I love the painting: the way the rock stands out against the clouds and the rough terrain makes the colors pop. Brody has used his brush strokes to make texture very apparent in the clouds, fog, mountains, and the ground. Bill Brody is actually an art professor on the UAF main campus and teaches several art classes. Brody not only paints, but also does photography and writes journals when he explores the Alaskan outdoors. Brody loves to spend time outside in both summer and winter and his love for nature is present in his art work.
This painting was done by Mark Gudmundsen in 1997 and is titled Half Dome and the Merced River. This photo depicts a scene from the Yosemite National Park in California. Mark Gudmundsen is a very well known artists and is specifically noted for his work with National Parks. Gudmundsen is a deeply religious painter who finds God in nature and loves to paint and spend time in the outdoors. Gudmundsen has a talent for creating art with a very real look and particular attention to lighting. This painting stands out to me because of the depth and layering Gudmundsen has created.
This painting was also done by Mark Gudmundsen in 1982 and is titled The Secret Fishing Hole. This painting is a scene from the Mammoth Lakes area in the Inyo National Forest in California and is bordered by Federal wilderness areas and the Yosemite National Park. This painting appeals to be because of the light contrast in this painting. The light in the water is shockingly bright next to the dark rocks.
The painting above is by Donald Maier and is titled Buffalo in Yellowstone and was painted in 1992. This scene is based in the Yellowstone National Park, America’s oldest National Park. Maier became interested in the Western landscape when he served in the Navy in California. Now he paints because of the joy he obtains from the process and finished product. I really like this painting because of the vastness he captures. He only uses two main colors of brown and green and still manages to make his work attractive and detailed.
This painting was done by Stefan Baumann and is titled Bridalveil Falls which he painted in 1992. This scene is also from the Yosemite National Park in California. Baumann has created a broad range of artwork from different painting styles to even producing a television series about his art work with National Parks. This painting truly looks majestic with the grand mountains contrasting to the autumn colored trees.
lbullen 
Great job in stating the facts. My wife thinks the art is too “marshmallowy”, but it looks like the same stuff that she likes to me. Anyway, good job all around. If you want to check out the stuff my wife likes, she helped me pick out mine (diverdave75), so feel free to critique it.
Great theme choice for your exhibit, tying artwork to National Parks is a really neat idea. I think it is interesting how you mentioned why works of art like these were created and how they can influence various people. I know many of John Muir’s works from the late 1800’s were highly influential in getting people interested in creating and preserving National Parks. It is interesting that two of the pieces shown are from Yosemite National Park, which was also a big focus of Muir. Do you know if any of these artists use him as a background for their work? Also good job including all the required information as well as your refection on each piece. I especially agree with you on fishing hole piece. The brightness of the water contrasting against the dark rocks adds a really neat dynamic to the painting. Personally, I love National Park paintings in general because they all seem to have this certain quality about them that really portrays the majestic feel of these historic landmarks and really captures why these places are special.
My mouth dropped when I opened your ‘exhibit!’ These pieces are amazing; though it might have to do with my infatuation with water! Some of these pieces, I can’t even tell are paintings. I feel like I’m standing in front of the scenes. Seward is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world; it’s a quaint little town that I wish I could spend more time in – because it’s near the ocean 🙂
On a side note, I’m completely jealous that you are abroad this semester!