Yellowstone (Snake River)

Yellowstone (Snake River)
48 x 60 in. — Acrylic on Canvas
Original painting by Kelly O’Brien

This sweeping landscape pays tribute to the legendary Snake River as it winds through the wilds of Yellowstone. Rendered in a vibrant spectrum of reds, magentas, turquoise, and golden ochres, the piece reimagines the American West through an emotional, almost cinematic lens. The palette is intentional—hot and electric in the foreground, cool and expansive in the distance—evoking both the warmth of memory and the crisp breath of open wilderness.

Bold pine trees stand upright, some nearly silhouetted against the glowing sky. A vibrant red rock formation draws the eye into the painting’s lower left, guiding the viewer toward the blue-green cut of the river as it disappears into a distant range of soft pink mountains. The composition is layered, rhythmic, and alive—pulsing with a reverence for nature’s power and stillness.

The scene is familiar but not literal. It reads more like a remembered dream of Yellowstone than a photograph—an echo of the West seen through Kelly O’Brien’s uniquely expressive style.

Notable Features:

• Based on the iconic curve of the Snake River in Yellowstone National Park

• Painted in a vivid, expressive palette that reinvents the traditional landscape

• Evokes a blend of memory, terrain, and spirit

• Large scale (4x5 feet) makes it ideal as a centerpiece or statement acquisition

Artist’s Note:
“I painted this from the gut. The colors don’t match nature—they match what it felt like to stand there. The warmth of the rocks, the weight of the pines, the clarity of the air. It’s about place, yes—but more than that, it’s about presence.”