The orb hangs against a darkening sky, like a polished opal lying on a velvet cushion. The mysterious impact of the moment reminds us of the reverence our ancient ancestors afforded this jewel of the night. It looks so tangibly beautiful. We reach out, and in our minds, we “Touch the Moon.”
The artwork, West of The Dalles, depicts a scene viewed from the grounds of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center on the West side of the city. The view is from atop a set of low cliffs forming the southern edge of the Gorge. Here, yellow grassy slopes give way to the blues of the river. Across the river, steep cliffs form the northern wall of the Gorge. Stacked layers of weathered basalts, covered with gold and brown grasses and scrub brush create a patchwork of rusty red, orange and gold.
The artwork “View from Maryhill” is derived from photos and sketches taken from the Maryhill Museum’s open decking overlooking the Columbia River and the Maryhill Orchards below. A panoramic scene allows the viewer to take in the steep drop-off of the north-side cliffs and the orchards below. Across the river the southern cliffs of the gorge shoot upward, and beyond is an expanse encompassing the dry ecosystems of the Central Oregon deserts.
The original artwork, The Gazing Ball, provides a physically impossible scene. Resting in the palm of a hand, the gazing ball vibrates with light, life and color. It reflects a scene that is not congruent with the dark muted background and stylized painting of a hand.
The artwork “East of Rowena Crest” is based on photos and sketches taken by the artist. The vista takes in a view of the Gorge as the river stretches eastward—a ribbon of blue in a landscape of brown and gold.
Global heating has become the catalyst for opening natural pathways for the release of massive quantities of carbon-based greenhouse gases stored in the Arctic.
The artwork “Big Sky Over the Gorge” places the viewer on the river bank below Crown Point. Here, the water, land and sky meet and the scenery rockets up river into the heart of the Cascades.
Changes to our future only occur through action in the present. Every action we undertake in the fleeting transition between past and future nudges our trajectory and alters our future.
The artwork “North Side of the Entrance” tracks mountain cliffs along the Washington side of the river at the entrance to the Columbia River Gorge.
The artwork “Crown Point” catches the southern edge of the Columbia River below purple cliffs. Vista House’s rounded top peeks out from its perch on top of Crown Point. Below, along the river bank, the land sweeps northward into the edges of Rooster Rock State Park.