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The Grand View Public Television Show

America’s National Parks Through the Eyes on an Artist

Experience the Grandeur of America’s National Parks with Stefan Baumann as you witness for yourself the majesty of the American Landscape. This inspirational Public Television show captures the essence of the American experience as Stefan Baumann paints the Parks on canvas.

Plein air artist Stefan Baumann, host of twenty episodes of the PBS painting series, “The Grand View: America’s National Parks Through the Eyes of an Artist“ and author of “Observations Of Art and Nature“ travels with his vintage trailer throughout America’s western landscapes, painting stunning vistas on location with oils on canvas. Baumann’s art reflects his commitment to ecology and the preservation of the natural environment.  In the episodes of “The Grand View,” Stefan Baumann takes his paints, brushes and canvas and hikes deep into the National Parks system to paint his vision of nature’s magnificence and share his passion for the wilderness and art. In each episode he paints in the artistic style of Romantic Realism, pioneered by the American master painters who traveled throughout the west in the 1800’s to sketch similar environmentally inspired paintings.  Baumann’s DVDs journal of his treks that encompass every aspect of the park as he focuses on the plants, wildlife, geologic and human history that have impacted the region.

Episodes of The Grand View

#101 – Yellowstone National Park

In the first of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann journeys into Yellowstone National Park and experiences the geologic phenomena of the park’s volcanic activity. He also meets Grant Bulltail, Native American, who shares the stories of his life and his people. Jennifer Shoemaker, interpretive ranger for the park, and Henry Heasler, Yellowstone geologist. Baumann concludes the show by painting Artist Point. (Click to view 5:29 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#102 – Kings Canyon National Park

In the second of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann embarks on one of his most rigorous journeys yet.  He and his crew hike 25 miles and ascend 10,000 feet into the backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park. Along his journey, he sits down with his pack guide, Tim Loverin, whose family has been packing into the region since 1985, Ralph Wass, back country packer in the region, Kate Collins, interpretive ranger for the park, and Joel Despain, park cave specialist. Baumann concludes by painting  Rae Lakes. (Click to view 4:49 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#103 – Lava Beds National Monument

In the third of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann journeys into the lava tubes and cinder cone fields of Lava Beds National Monument. Along his journey he meets Kelly Fuhrmann, Park biologist, George Freeland, interpretive ranger for the park, and Willard W. Rhoades, Native American, who shares the stories of his life and the philosophy of his people. Baumann concludes the show by painting a vista of Lava Beds.

 

#104 – Channel Island National Park

In the fourth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann journeys into the Channel Islands National Park and experiences one of the most beautiful National Parks in America. Along the way he meets Tim Coonan, Island Fox biologist, Native American Julie Tumamait, who shares the stories of the Chumash People, Don Morris, Chief Marine Biologist, and Robert L. DeLong, Marine Mammal Expert. Baumann concludes the show by painting the ocean view from San Miguel Island.

 

#105 – Lassen Volcanic National Park

In the fifth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann treks to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Along his journey he meets Mike Clynne, United States Geologic Survey (USGS) researcher doing volcanic research in the region, Dave Frederick, Park ranger,  and Mickie Gimmel, Native American and descendent of Ishi. Baumann concludes the show by painting Mount Lassen and Manzanita Lake.

 

#106 – Yosemite National Park

In the sixth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann guides his audience to Vernal Falls to experience Mist Trail and the roar of the winter thaw. During his trek, Baumann meets world famous mountain climber Steve Schneider as he takes the audience up the sheer granite walls of the Valley, renowned basket weaver Julia Parker, who shares the stories of her life in the valley and the philosophy of her art, and Sue Fritzke, valley botanist, who explains the history of the valley and the delicate ecology of the region. Baumann concludes the show by bringing Vernal Falls to life on canvas.

 

#107 – Crater Lake National Park

In the seventh of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann travels to Crater Lake National Park. Along his journey he meets Kevin Bacher, interpretive ranger for the park, Neva Eggsman, the last Klamath elder that speaks her native language, and Mark Buktenica, lake sediment researcher. Baumann concludes the show by painting Wizard Island.

 

#108 – Death Valley National Park

In the eighth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann treks into the mythical region known as Death Valley. Along his journey he meets Grace Goad, American Indian native to the region. Dave Heffner, California 49’rs historian, and Charles Callagen, Death Valley Interpretive ranger. Baumann concludes the show by painting 20 Mule Team Canyon. (Click to view 5:15 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#109 – Pinnacles National Monument

In the ninth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann journeys into Pinnacles National Monument. Along his journey, he meets Anne Marie Sayer, Chief of the regions Native American Tribe, Amy Fesnock, Townsend Big Eared bat biologist, and Richard Banuelos, park educational specialist. Baumann concludes the show by painting Pinnacles Reservoir. (Click to view 5:20 YouTube video excerpt)

#110 – Sequoia National Park

In the tenth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann takes a phenomenal trek into the botanical wonder of Sequoia National Park. Along his journey he meets Rachel Mazur, Bear biologist for the region: Nate Stephenson, USGS biologist doing pollution studies that impact the trees: and Lawrence Bill, Native American whose regional ancestry dates back hundreds of years. Baumann concludes the show by painting a grove of the famed trees. (Click to view 5:15 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#201 – Grand Canyon National Park – North Rim

In the eleventh of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann journeys through one of the world’s most famous National Parks and explores its lesser known North Rim. In contrast to its southern half, this region offers the typical canyon beauty, but also a more lush environ of pine and aspen. Interviews include Chris Parish from The Peregrine/Condor Project, as he discusses the successful reintroduction of the California condor to the canyon; Becky Latanich discusses the region’s unique geologic history; and Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, Hopi Native American, shares the history of her people before the region became a National Park. Baumann concludes with a painting of one of the canyon’s most breathtaking vistas from its North Rim. (Click to view 5:23 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#202 – Point Reyes National Seashore

In the twelfth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann discovers the beach where it is theorized that English explorer Sir Francis Drake once landed. This beautiful episode proves to be one of the most diverse landscapes in America, featuring over 330 species of animals, and some of the most shocking manifestations of plate tectonics on the West Coast. As he journeys this National Seashore, he meets up with Kate McClain, kayaking tour guide; John Del’osso, National Park Ranger, and peniped biologist, Dr. Sarrah Allen. Baumannn concludes by painting Sir Francis Drake’s “White Cliffs of Dover”, a tidal flat on the west side of the park. (Click to view 5:26 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#203 – Mount Rainier National Park

The thirteenth of 20 episodes of The Grand View finds the artist at Mount Rainier National Park, where Baumann takes his audience to Central Washington to witness one of the most geologically tenuous landscapes in America. The mountain and region have been shaped by volcanic activity and geologists anticipate its next blast. The mountain itself is an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice. The journey includes examples of old growth forests and sub- alpine meadows. On his journey, Baumann interviews several Native Americans from the region, including Lewis Squallysr; archaeologist Lee Taylor details the native and contemporary human history. Baumann concludes this episode with a riverside painting of Mount Rainier. (Click to view 5:05 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#204 – Olympic National Park

The fourteenth of 20 episodes of The Grand View finds the artist at Olympic National Park, where Baumann brings his audience to the northern tip of Washington and to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Olympic National Park features glacier-capped mountains, magnificent stands of old-growth trees, and temperate rain forest. Interviews include Native American elder, Edward E Claplandho, who brings the past alive with stories of American Indian culture and the history of his people in the lush environment; and finally National Park rangers, Jon Preston and Michael Gurling, discuss the geologic and botanical phenomena of this beautiful region. Baumann concludes with a sunrise painting of the eroded pillars of the tidal flats. (Click to view 4:33 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#205 – Joshua Tree National Park

In the fifteenth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann reveals one of the most mythical botanical wonders in America: the Joshua Tree. Baumann explores this Desert oasis in southern California, renowned for it’s sublime energy, and beautiful landscapes. Interviews include interpretive ranger Sarah Hinton, explaining the evolution of the parks botany; Climber Eric Foltz and his colleagues as he takes us up one of the sandstone formations; and Joe Zarki, ranger and historian, details the human history of the region. Baumann ultimately hikes into the park and discovers an intimate vista where he paints Joshua trees in bloom. (Click to view 5:04 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#206 – North Cascades National Park

In the sixteenth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann explores the dynamic features of the North Cascades. This beautiful park is home to jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 700 glaciers; It is also renowned for its unbelievable hikes. Baumann is accompanied by park ranger, Ryan Booth and Sherman Williams Sr, as they discuss the landscape of this beautiful region; Paula Ogden-Muse, national park ecologist; and Native American, Dorothy Stark, reveal the details of the region’s natural and human history. Baumann completes this episode by painting 28 miles up a deserted gravel road; The destination is a Cascade Peak vista and its melting glaciers. (Click to view 5:18 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#207 – Great Basin National Park

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#208 – Redwood National Park

In the eighteenth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann’s journey takes his audience to see some of the tallest trees on Earth. These old growth redwood stands are some of the last remaining timber that was saved from the lumber industry. These magnificent trees live to be 2000 years old and grow to be over 300 feet tall; Baumann’s journey takes him to the base of these mythical giants. Interviews include park biologist, Ray Murray and superintendent, Bill Pierce. Native American yet to be announced. Baumann concludes this episode by painting a grove of redwoods that follow the Little Bald Hills to the Pacific. (Click to view 5:20 YouTube video excerpt)

 

#209 – Devils Postpile National Monument

In the ninteenth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann explores one of the most unique phenomena in geology; Hexagonal pillars of Basalt lava that were revealed during the last Ice Age. Located in the Eastern Sierra, this rare and beautiful feature ranks as one of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt. The region reveals a volatile geologic history, with reminders bubbling up from the valley floor. Baumann interviews Park Superintendent, Deanna Dulen, and USGS geologist, Mike Clynne. Baumann reaches his destination, and paints the Minarets of the Sierras overlooking the park itself.

 

#210 – Golden Gate National Recreation Area

In the twentieth of 20 episodes of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann sets his sites on one of the largest urban parks in the world: Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The park, which includes Alcatraz, the Marin Headlands, and the original military fortifications surrounding San Francisco, was conceived as part of a trend to make national park resources more accessible to urban populations. Interviews include Frank Heaney, Alcatraz prison guard, Heather Booth, park interpretive ranger, and Stephen Haller, civil war historian. Baumann completes his journey by painting the high dunes of Fort Funston and Ocean Beach.

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