"A stunning star trail photograph comprised from 200 images was previewed today to celebrate Washington’s Mount Rainier as the 13th of 16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary." Read the press release here.
Wow, just a few days ago I learned that Mount Rainier is going to be featured on a Forever Stamp of the United States Post Office. The official unveiling is today, June 2! Mount Rainier is one of 16 stamps to be featured in this impressive collection of stamps that commemorate the National Park Service's 100th Anniversary.
Growing up in Washington State, Mount Rainier is omnipresent. Mount Rainier is the boss of mountains out here. Mount Rainier is bred into the culture of the Pacific Northwest -- revered by the Native American tribes that lived in the region for thousands of years. Mount Rainier is symbolic of the Pacific Northwest for its majesty.
I have been wanting to take a road trip to Mount Rainier to capture some of the alpine valleys and views to be seen during the spring and summer. However, because of the stamp coming out today, I wanted to make sure to get the word out about the awesome news of our state's mountain being on a US postage stamp! What a great opportunity to purchase stamps!
Mount Rainier is the grand dame of the six major mountains in Washington State. Mount Rainier is also an active volcano (remember Mt. St. Helens, May 1980?)
Mount Rainier, Bay of Puget Sound. Oil on Canvas. "20x41-1/2." 1875. Stanford Gifford. Collection: Seattle Art Museum
"In the summer of 1874, Gifford set out by himself for Oregon and Alaska. Returning from the far north, Gifford traveled the length of Puget Sound and was able to see the great domes of the Cascades. The appearance of the ethereal-seeming, majestic Mount Rainier on an August afternoon clearly enchanted him. He thrilled to the particular spirit of this place of grand volcanic peaks and ancient peoples, where, at times, when the skies clear and Rainier emerges out of the mist, we are granted the privilege of glimpsing what seems the heavenly home of the gods."
A survey of landscape of Washington State is not complete without a story or two about Mount Rainier.
As a heads up, in the course of the next few weeks, my painting travels will take us to the area surrounding Mount Rainier. Watch for dailies to enter your email box in the next few weeks.
I want to give you another heads up....I am excited to unveil a new platform that will allow me to engage with followers of my artwork in creative and fun ways. Hint: For those of you who began following me in 2014 with "100 Days 100 Paintings", where the first painting went for $1 and then went up $1 per day? Well, the new platform I am rolling out is sort of like that. But different.
I will be sending out an announcement of my plans in the next week. Stay tuned!! You don't want to miss this!!
Have a great day!
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