I spent a early summer day painting this watercolor of the Sierra Buttes from Sand Pond in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area in Sierra County, California. 

I don’t know if the Sierra Buttes were sacred to the original inhabitants, but to me, they had a strong mystical power and connection with the earth. They are an eroded volcanic lava dome, a gift of terrible beauty from the living mantle and core of our earth. 

As I painted this watercolor, I sought to capture the mountains’ strength, grace, and enduring presence rooted firmly into our beautiful planet. I invite you to connect with nature’s quiet power and the strength of mountains.