The River

The River. ©2011 Lisa McShane. Oil on Linen. 20" x 30".

This is where the John Day River meets the Columbia along the gorge. 

Last year I purchased a book of historic photos of the Columbia and I refer to it when I paint the river paintings. The book is "River of Memory, the Everlasting Columbia" by William Layman. The photos are black and white and show the river before the dams. 

This would have been rapids. According to Layman, the rocks were removed by the Army Corps starting in the 19th century to allow for easier barge transport. 

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