Multnomah Falls, a watercolor by Paul Brent, inspired by a recent river cruise going “against the current” (traveling east on the Columbia River from the Pacific Ocean through The Dalles).
Q: Where is Multnomah Falls, you ask?
A: Multnomah Falls, at 611 feet, is the second tallest waterfall in the US and is located in the Columbia River Gorge. It is exactly halfway between Portland and Hood River, Oregon. According to Native American lore, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe. Although you can see the top portion of the falls from Oregon Interstate Highway 84, to view both tiers you have to walk to the viewing area located in a carved-out opening in the rock face. Tilting your head up in the narrow rocky confines of the steep cliffs, you get a mind-boggling perspective on the sheer magnitude of the falls.
Paul Brent, summer 2016.
Paul Brent is an artist whose work has become internationally known to represent the coastal lifestyle. From his watercolors to his recent oil paintings he captures nature in its best and most idyllic form. While being best known for his beach subjects, he has painted landscapes that are equally indicative of his talent to recreate all aspects of nature. He especially enjoys painting local scenes and beachscapes that he views near his two home studios in Panama City, Florida and Seaside, Oregon.
New watercolor from Paul Brent, titled “White Pelican at The Dalles, Oregon”.
Q: Why is the term “against the current” being used, you ask?
A: The Columbia River is a river connecting the east-side watershed of the Cascade Mountain Range to the Pacific Ocean. The river has created a gorge through the Cascade Mountain Range. The Columbia River Gorge marks the state line between Oregon and Washington. The wide range of elevation and precipitation makes the Columbia River Gorge an extremely diverse and dynamic place. Ranging from 4,000 feet to sea level, and transitioning from 100 inches of precipitation to only 10 inches in 80 miles the Gorge creates a diverse collection of ecosystems from the temperate rain forest on the western end to the eastern grasslands with a transitional dry woodland between Hood River and The Dalles.
The gorge holds federally protected status as a National Scenic Area called the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area and is managed by the Columbia River Gorge Commission and the US Forest Service. The gorge is a popular recreational destination.
Paul Brent’s art works on display Fairweather’s. Summer 2016.
For more info go to http://www.fairweatherhouseandgallery.com/artists/ Paul Brent
