This was inspired by Tahquamenon Falls aka Root Beer falls. It’s brown hue is due to leeching tannins from cedar. I realized I made it too small so it went from being a waterfall to a little creek. We will just imagine this is a mile or 2 downstream from the falls. The stacked rocks were going to be the main focus because I wanted practice making rocks that didn’t look like blobs but I got carried away. Folks enjoy stacking rocks to make intricate towers. However the park has asked folks to stop because it’s harming the ecosystem of dragonflies that need the rocks to shelter their eggs. No dragonflies were harmed in the making of this painting ;)
I remember the rock stacking craze, I am glad to see it isn't quite as prevalent as it used to be, I agree it should be left as nature intended it! Especially if it is damaging dragonfly ecosystems! I think they are about the most amazing insect ever created! All of your rocks look amazing Lilikins! The practice paid off. I especially like the ones in the riverbed, you captured the movement of water over them quite well. Love the fall colored tree branches and leaves across the top. Fall is my favorite season, and I am so looking forward to the color changing of the leaves!
This is beautiful and a bit ironic; I just discovered some old pictures of Tahquamenon Falls I took years ago that I plan on using as a study for my painting this weekend. I hope it comes out as nice as yours!
Thanks everyone! I actually thought the stacked rocks looked kind of cute and some of them were creatively positioned. Now that I know that they are harmful to the dragonfly population I hope I never see one there again. I find dragonflies calming and they eat mosquitoes so what’s not to love? The fall leaves were not originally supposed to be there but I accidentally painted the entire canvas brown, not thinking that this would leave me a brown sky - so the trees are there to cover up that happy little accident. Fall is also my favorite season and the leaves were changing when we visited a couple weeks ago.
Good luck with your painting JNK57! I will try another one sometime and try to get it actually waterfall sized :)
Tahquamenon Falls - the place is fabulous! I wish I visited it! The fall photos on the internet are stunning!
I love the fall colors that you created, they are so real. You did fantastic painting Lilikins!
I love it when people paint scenes from my home state. Michigan is a beautiful place to live, even though I harbor a deep dislike for the winter months, and summer seems far too short (especially in the Tahquamenon Falls area). Kudos on this one. The fall leaves are a lovely addition. Sometimes accidents turn into something beautiful. 👍
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It is beautiful Lilikins!
Although I have no water in my garden, I am visited regularly by dragonflies. They are protected by federal law here in Belgium so cannot be harmed. I always think of them as a blessing for keeping a well organized garden.
Stackings rocks is become a lesser hype ten before these days, luckely! I do not fancy it and rather see it all in its normal habitat and shape.