Sketchbook Entry 2

6/8/06 ~3pm to 5:15pm

Orange Spring Mound,

Mammoth Springs,

Yellowstone National Park, WY

This prismacolor pencil drawing is from my Yellowstone Sketchbook.  In the summer of 2006, I travelled with 13 other art students and my professor, Joe Trumpey, to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.  This Field Sketching class was one of the greatest adventures of my life!  I also kept a journal along with the sketches.  Here's an excerpt from that day:

6/8/06

...I walked around the road part and saw Orange Spring Mound, one of my favorites!  The water trickling down it was so pretty and the sun glistened upon it.  I drew by the road and got so close to the mound.  Had to watch for cars coming, tho.  I noticed that more and more people stopped their cars to take pictures when they saw me.  I think I caused a little traffic jam.  This one couple asked me to take their picture and saw my drawing...  I tried a buffalo burger for dinner!  Delicious!  I eat better here than I do at home!

{end journal}

We learned a lot about the geology and ecosystem of Yellowstone too.  One thing about hot springs is that they're constantly changing.  They open and close, with periods of active water for a long time, then an earthquake or some movement of earth closes it up.  Soil and trees could grow there over a period of dormancy.  Because of this, if you visit the Orange Spring Mound (or any spring in Yellowstone or anywhere) it will look different from when you last saw it.  It's a constantly evolving ecosystem.     

Adventurously yours,

Mindy