A Great Use for a Munitions Dump!

David Morton 9/4/2023

I grew up in Denver Colorado in the 1960s. We had several ties to the military in Colorado. Two in Metropolitan Denver were Rocky Flats, where Plutonium triggers were manufactured. Another was Rocky Mountain Arsenal, where nerve gas was stored. Both of these are now reclaimed for nature. This past year I often drove the Arsenal watching the waterfowl, the mule dear and of course the Buffalo.

First I did this charcoal sketch, placing the bull and cow in the field in front of the gullies, willows, cottonwood and the panorama of the front range and the city on the horizon.

I then did a water color painting to work on the composition.

Colorado has been my home for most of my 68 years (69 in October). This scene captures with three contrasting elements of beauty, the plains with scrub brush and dust, the Rockies with pine, granite, sandstone and snow. The native wildlife, once plentiful, still with our help, holding on.

Finally I did this oil on canvas.

With all the tragic destruction and loss of the past few years, it is reassuring that with dedication, we may save some of the natural beauty for our grandchildren to enjoy!

They will beat their swords into plowshares ...and their spears into pruning hooks...Isaiah 2:4

Head out and enjoy the wonder!

David