Canyon Country

by Steven John Koeppe

All paintings are available for sale unless noted as part of a collection.

Malibu Creek

Upstream From Serra Retreat

Acrylic on canvas, 24"x36", by Steven John Koeppe, 2004
Collection of Judy annd David Ehlers

Malibu Creek passes through one of the deepest, most dramatic canyons along the California coastline before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The creek's difficult accessibility within high cliffs and behind gated Serra Retreat results in few visitors and relatively large numbers of birds, including Cormorants like the ones included here. Here's the photo I worked from.

Grand Canyon From Grandview Trail

2003 . Acrylic on canvas, 30x48", by Steven John Koeppe

The first trails into the Grand Canyon were not intended for tourists. This trail was cut into the walls of the canyon to provide access for miners and mule teams to a copper mine 3500 feet below the rim. Everything had to be carried over this steep, narrow, rocky trail. The trail still provides a bird's eye view of the canyon.

Early Morning
At Wukoki Ruins

2001 . Acrylic on canvas, 24"x36", by Steven John Koeppe

A few moments after sunrise, Wukoki was bathed with bright golden light. It must have been a very beautiful place to live - but difficult, as well. Its main floor was once at the bottom of an ocean; you can still see very clearly the ripples of ancient sandy beach pearched high above this desert bajada.

Granite Mountains In Springtime

Acrylic on canvas, 18x24", by Steven John Koeppe, 2004

I usually paint from photos I've taken, but in this case I set up my easel on a ridge in the high desert and painted through the afternoon, then finished in the morning light. It was a wonderful experience; I intend to do more in this plein air style.

Grand Canyon
River Rafting

2001 . Acrylic on canvas, 30"x40", by Steven John Koeppe

In October of 2001, I enjoyed a 188 mile, 14-day whitewater expedition through the Grand Canyon. This passage, through the Marble Canyon area, moved me. The massive, 1000+ marble and sandstone cliffs lining the river's inner gorge and the 5000 feet of cliffs from river to rim were inspirational.

Storm Clouds Over San Fransico Peaks

Acrylic on canvas, 24"x36", by Steven John Koeppe, 2004
Collection of Mark and Carol Koeppe

Towering over 12,000 feet, these alpine peaks are remnants of large volcanos thought to be extinct. They lie just north of Flagstaff, Arizona, providing for a wonderfully interesting skyline. I chose to paint this image because I'm drawn to the beautiful color combination of gold aspen leaves (still to come) against the dark storm clouds. See the photo I worked from.

Rainbow Bridge

Lake Powell, Northern Arizona

Acrylic on linen, 24"x36", by Steven John Koeppe, 2004
Collection of Mark and Carol Koeppe

Lake Powell resulted from the flooding of the Glen Canyon, beginning in 1959. Today the huge reservoir exists with over 2000 miles of jagged shoreline where the water reaches in and out of dozens of side canyons. One of these canyons is graced by an enormous arch over 300 feet high. A Native American holy place, it stands before Navajo Mountain, visible in the far distance.

Wupatki Sunset

2001 . Acrylic on canvas, 24"x30", by Steven John Koeppe
Collection of Marlena Chumo

I arrived at the Citadel Ruins just before sunset after enjoying a wonderful day visiting the Indian village ruins of Wupatki National Nonument, 45 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona. Standing atop these ruins, I'm looking south across a large sinkhole toward the San Francisco Peaks.

Lost Canyon

2002 . Acrylic on canvas, 24x48", by Steven John Koeppe
Collection of Mary Duncan

I spent the day with friends at Shoshone Point, overlooking the Grand Canyon from the south rim. I got some nice photos, but the weather didn't seem to be cooperating so we left for Flagstaff a little early. On the ride back I saw the most spectacular sunset I'd ever experienced. When we got there, I went to the basement and started throwing paint.

Kelso Dunes,
East Mojave Desert

1984 . Acrylic on canvas, 44"x72", by Steven John Koeppe

Collection of Mike and Brooke Robinson

These Willow Trees way out in the middle of California's East Mojave Desert look dead and dried out for most of the year, surviving dry, alternating freezer and oven conditions. But they become quite green and bloom again every year year in the spring. It's a great place to watch the full moon by twilight giving way to sunrise.

Storm Approaching
Desert West of Palm Springs

1994 . Acrylic on canvas, 36"x48", by Steven John Koeppe

Collection of Mark and Carol Koeppe

It was a very strange day, quite hot and muggy. On my way to make a delivery in Palm Springs, rain begain pouring just east of Riverside and lasted for about 30 miles until I got past Beaumont, where it cleared up. Palm Springs was very windy, with intense clouds lingering to the west. I pulled off the highway on the way back to watch the storm move slowly eastward toward me. Quite a hail storm and driving rain ensued.

Grand Canyon
from Indian Hollow

1991 . Acrylic on canvas, 36"x48", by Steven John Koeppe

Collection of Mike and Brooke Robinson

I often prefer to visit the North Rim and roam through the Kaibab National Forest. There's no railings, signs or crowds mar the solitude and untouched nature of this vast landscape. Trails from here into the canyon are very narrow and sparsely used. This view looks southwest toward Cathedral Butte.

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