Artwork copyright Ron McGaughey. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Palouse River, 1996

Ron McGaughey
American (born 1960)

Location: Endicott-St. John Middle School, St. John

About the Artwork

Artist Ron McGaughey's impressionistic painting Palouse River uses richly varied colors and expressive brushstrokes to depict the interplay of sunlight and shadow on the Central Washington landscape. This piece was created based on studies and photographs taken by the artist after camping near Palouse Falls, in Southeastern Washington, in 1996. Discussing his creative practice of painting "en plein air", McGaughey notes "when painting outdoors the challenge is in striking a counterpoise between what the mind conceives of as beauty and what the heart and body actually come upon."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Endicott School District.

About the Artist

Central Washington-based painter Ron McGaughey creates gestural and impressionistic compositions that celebrate the Northwest landscape. He prefers to paint on-site and outdoors.