Along the jordan #002
Windswept Willow • Salt Lake City, Utah
Along The Jordan #002 - Windswept Willow
Location: Jordan River Parkway
Near Salt Lake City Police Dpt.
Salt Lake City, UT
(40.7545366, -111.9225187)
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Board
Size: 9 × 12 in
Completed: En plein air on July 15, 2026
From the Field
Some paintings begin with a destination. This one began with the sound of wind.
Willow tree along the Jordan River Parkway, Salt Lake City, UT.
After a two-mile bike ride south along the Jordan River Parkway, I stopped near the Salt Lake City Police Department where a large willow tree leaned gracefully over the river and path. The afternoon was hot—94°F with a real feel closer to 96°F—but a steady 9 mph breeze kept the willow branches in constant motion. Instead of standing still like a traditional landscape subject, the tree seemed to dance.
As I unpacked my easel, I noticed how much life surrounded what many people would simply bike past.
The wind rustled continuously through the hanging branches. Birds called back and forth from opposite sides of the river. Bees wandered through the dry grasses while dragonflies darted across the water's surface. Squirrels disappeared into nearby cottonwoods, and fast-moving cyclists rushed by every few minutes, each continuing on their way while I stayed still long enough to really see the place.
Painting set-up for plein air painting.
Painting outdoors is never just about making an image—it's about experiencing a moment fully.
This outing also marked the first time I used my new folding stool and wide-brimmed hat. Both made an enormous difference in the afternoon heat. Even so, I discovered another lesson: when I'm focused on painting, I forget to drink water. It's something I'll be much more mindful of on future outings.
The wind brought its own challenge as well, occasionally catching the canvas and threatening to knock it from my easel. Rather than fighting those interruptions, they became part of the experience.
While I painted, I listened to the Epic: The Musical playlist.
The sweeping orchestral music blended with the movement of the willow branches in a way I hadn't expected. The rhythm of the wind, the flowing river, and the music seemed to merge together, giving the afternoon an almost cinematic feeling. By the end of the session, I realized I wasn't simply painting a tree—I was trying to capture its movement and presence.
One of the goals of my Along the Jordan series is to return to locations over time, observing how they change with the seasons. This willow immediately earned a place on that list. I want to revisit it from different angles, under different light, and throughout the year as its colors and character evolve.
Every visit reveals something new.
Sometimes all it takes is slowing down long enough to notice.
Behind the Painting
Along the Jordan #002 - Windswept Willow
Windswept Willow was completed entirely en plein air over a two-hour painting session. Rather than chasing every leaf, I focused on capturing the willow's movement and character with expressive brushstrokes and bold color. The wind constantly shifted the branches, so the painting became less about recording an exact moment and more about painting the feeling of standing beneath the tree as it swayed above the Jordan River.
This session also marked several firsts for my plein air setup. It was the first outing with my new folding stool and wide-brimmed hat, both of which made painting in the summer heat much more comfortable. I also painted while listening to the Epic: The Musical playlist, whose sweeping orchestral music became part of the experience and influenced the energy I tried to capture in the finished piece.
Field Notes
Date
July 15, 2026
Painting Time
3:30–5:35 PM (2 hours)
Location
Jordan River Parkway near the Salt Lake City Police Department
Coordinates
40.7545366, -111.9225187
Journey
🚲 2-mile bike ride south on the Jordan River Parkway
Weather
☀️ Sunny
☁️ Light cloud cover
🌡️ 94°F (Real Feel 96°F)
💨 9 mph wind
Wildlife Observed
Birds
Bees
Beetles
Dragonflies
Squirrels
Plants
Willow
Cottonwood
Cattails
Reeds
What I Noticed
Wind rustling continuously through the willow branches
Birds calling back and forth across the river
Airplanes overhead
Light traffic in the distance
Cyclists passing quickly on the trail
Bees wandering through the dry grasses
Challenges
Remembering to drink water while focused on painting
Heat despite having shade
Gusts of wind trying to knock over the canvas
Lessons from the field
Shade makes a huge difference.
My new stool and wide-brimmed hat made painting much more comfortable.
I become completely absorbed while painting and need to remind myself to hydrate.
Listening to Epic: The Musical changed the atmosphere of the session. The music and the swaying willow branches made the afternoon feel almost cinematic.
Return Notes
✔ Return in autumn.
✔ Paint from the opposite riverbank.
✔ Paint closer to sunset.
✔ Study the willow after leaves begin changing.
Along the Jordan Series
Along the Jordan is an ongoing plein air painting series documenting the Jordan River Parkway through its changing seasons. Each painting is completed on location whenever possible and paired with field notes, observations, and reflections that capture not only what I painted, but what I experienced while spending time there.
