JAMES McGREW Lake Oswego, Oregon
James McGrew’s strong background in natural sciences (degrees in biology, chemistry, and geology) helps him understand his natural subjects as well as to carry on the tradition of 19th century artists whose images helped to establish the first national parks. He also lends his art background to his work as a summer seasonal Yosemite ranger/naturalist as he has for the past 24 summers. His paintings hang in collections around the world, and he has received numerous awards, including Best of Show and five consecutive People’s Choice Awards at the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, and four People’s Choice Awards at Zion Plein Air Invitational. James’ work has been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur, Plein Air Magazine, Southwest Art, and Western Art Collector.
On September 18, 2021, intense thunderstorms brought torrential rain and hail, fog, thunder, and lightning that lasted several hours and cleared crowds from the Hermit’s Road viewpoints. Shortly before sunset, the storm progressed northward as the sun fell below clouds on the western horizon. Brilliant rays suddenly poured in and illuminated the majestic geologic features. I raced to paint a plein air study which conveyed a visual representation as well as the thrilling emotion as I painted in unusual solitude near Powell Point. A few well camouflaged desert bighorn ewes and lambs later emerged and quietly grazed in the shadows. The sheep offer a sense of scale and serve as a reminder that the Grand Canyon exhibits not only unique beauty and geologic wonder, but also protects habitat for its often-overlooked desert dwelling species. Bighorns are just one example of a species which suffered catastrophic decline, disappearing from most of their historic range and needing protection and reintroduction to other parks. However, the vast landscape of the Grand Canyon maintained a natural population that has weathered the storm.
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