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Painting at the top of Mount Bunsen. Photo by Dylan Schneider.

I paint from life. I paint from sketches I did from life. I wish I could paint from photographs but the end result has never been as satisfying for me.  

Though I have left New York, I have never lost that subconscious rush to get from point A to B. For me it is a desire to be able to stop when I get to the end and take a moment to just look around. It is a need to make time to be still, the same way I rush from Penn Station to the Met, so that I can go slow for a while.  Sadly, there are many people who visit Yellowstone (and all parks) and only do the rush part. There is no time to slow down, to really see.  I am sure I come across as an idealist when I encourage people to sketch instead of taking a picture.  There is no blame, and there are many times my camera is in my hand instead of my sketchbook.  But I try to balance this with times where I leave my camera at home.  Hustling gives me time  to get to the top and consider what my options are- so that if I leave with only a rough sketch of one view, it is one that for me captures the whole experience of getting there. And if your like me and bring people with you to watch for bears while your absorbed in your work, there may be a few pictures to take home as well.

Most of this was finished while on top of Quadrant Peak, Yellowstone. 6x4" Gouache.