Artist Journal Entry:
One of my favorite evenings while exploring these harsh winter conditions on the western side of the Teton range in Idaho. During a light snowfall and an exhausting hike through four feet of fresh snow, I placed my hat on this old fence post to capture this photo. The heavy fog danced through the trees and would every once in a while give way to the sun, lighting up the snow in a golden hue. The barbed wire was already stripped down to the bottom of the post and was covered in about a foot of snow. The old wood was splintering at the base and could barely hold itself up due to the weight of many winters in which it had endured. Large flakes blew in faster with every gust of wind and found their resting place on my hat. I stood there up to my waist in snow, my toes frozen, and my face covered in frost. After about ten minutes in the cold, I was stunned by the image that had created itself before me. A simple yet powerful composition that describes my vision of the west. A vision that turns into a passion for capturing authentic moments in efforts to preserve this way of life. For those who have come and gone and to those who are keepin' on. My hat is off to you.