Join My Artist-in-Residence Journey at Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Imagine spending weeks immersed in the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, hiking its trails, painting its landscapes, and sharing the experience with fellow nature lovers and art enthusiasts. This is exactly what I am doing as an Artist-in-Residence (AIR) at one of America’s most beloved and popular national parks. I want to take you along on this journey, explain what it means to be an AIR, and how you can follow my adventures as I explore and create Smoky Mountain art.

"Early Spring at Abrams Creek," Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 18x24 pastel by Bob Palmerton.

What Does an Artist-in-Residence Do in National Parks?

An Artist-in-Residence program invites creative individuals to live and work within a national park for a set period. The goal is to inspire artists to produce work that reflects the park’s unique environment, history, and culture. As an AIR, I will spend my days hiking Smoky Mountains trails, including parts of the famous Appalachian Trail, observing the changing light, textures, and colors of the landscape. I then translate these experiences into landscape art that captures the spirit of the mountains.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park recently published a blog about this year's residencies, and how park visitors can participate and enjoy the activities conducted by its resident artists. Click here for the article about the visitor/community engagement component of the park's Artist-In-Residence (AIR) Program in the Smokies.

My role is not just to create art but also to connect visitors and the public with the park in new ways. Through my paintings, stories, workshops and talks, I help people see the Smoky Mountains through an artist’s eyes. This deepens appreciation for the park’s natural beauty and encourages conservation.

The Artist-in-Residence Selection Process

Becoming an AIR is a competitive process. National parks receive many applications from artists across the country and even internationally. Artists selected as AIR's are not just painters. An AIR can be a musician, poet, writer, photographer, videographer, a sculptor, and more. For national parks, the selection committees look for artists who demonstrate:

• A strong connection to nature and the outdoors

• A clear artistic vision that aligns with the park’s environment

• Experience in their chosen medium, especially landscape art

• The ability to engage the public through their work

  
  

For Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the process includes submitting a portfolio and a project proposal. Only a handful of artists are chosen each year. Being selected means the park trusts you to represent its beauty and values through your art. Many of the National Parks offer AIR programs.

Hiking and Painting in the Smoky Mountains

Hiking Smoky Mountains trails is an essential part of my creative process. The park’s diverse ecosystems—from misty ridges to wildflower-filled meadows—offer endless inspiration. My last visit to the park was in 2013, when a variety of photos I took became inspiration to several pastel and oil paintings created in my studio.

The physical activity of hiking helps me connect with the landscape on a deeper level. It’s not just about seeing the mountains but feeling their scale, hearing the rustle of leaves, and smelling the fresh mountain air. These sensory experiences influence the colors, shapes, and moods I will choose in my Smoky Mountain art.

"Andrews Bald," Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 18x24 pastel by Bob Palmerton.

How You Can Follow My Artist-in-Residence Journey

I want to bring you along as I hike and paint in the Smoky Mountains. Here are some ways you can follow my progress and enjoy the journey with me:

• Blog Updates: I will regularly post stories, photos, videos and reflections here on my blog. You’ll get insights into the creative process and the park’s natural wonders. Follow my updates before, during, and after the residency by returning to my blog. Become a member on my site to receive notifications of updates.

• Social Media: Follow me on Instagram and Facebook where I share quick snapshots and videos of my hikes, sketches, and finished paintings. .

• Virtual Gallery: I plan to create an online gallery featuring the artwork I produce during my residency. This will allow art collectors and fans to enjoy original art of Great Smoky Mountain National Park..

• Workshops and Talks: If you visit the park during my residency, you might catch one of my outdoor painting demos or talks about the intersection of art and nature. I will be at the Sugarlands Visitor Center for a demo and craft project on Saturday, September 19th and at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on Saturday September 26th. Click here for more information. I will also be at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, for a presentation on September 9th.

• Plein Air Locations: I plan to paint onsite at the following popular locations: Clingmans Dome, Andrews Bald, Cades Cove, Alum Cave Bluffs, Gregory Bald, Charlies Bunion, and several of the popular waterfalls. I will post dates and times on my blog about my painting and demo locations. See my blog on waterfalls to visit at Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I hope to see you and your family on the trails. For some family-friendly hikes at the park, click here.

• Other Activities of Smokies Life. You can learn more about the goings-on in the Smoky Mountains by visiting the Smokies LIVE blog.

  
  

The Impact of Creating Art in the Smoky Mountains

Being an AIR is more than a personal opportunity. It’s a chance to contribute to the park’s story and inspire others to value and protect these mountains. The artwork I create will become part of the park’s cultural record, helping future generations connect with this special place.

For travelers and hiking enthusiasts, my paintings offer a new way to experience the Smoky Mountains, even if you can’t visit in person. For art collectors, these pieces capture the essence of one of America’s most iconic landscapes.

"Homage to the Smokies," Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 9x12 pastel by Bob Palmerton.

Join Me on This Creative Adventure

If you love hiking Smoky Mountains trails, appreciate landscape art, or simply want to explore the beauty of the Appalachian Trail through an artist’s eyes, this journey is for you. Follow along as I discover new scenes, face creative challenges, and share the magic of the Smoky Mountains through my paintings.

Your support and curiosity make this residency even more meaningful. Together, we can celebrate the mountains and the art they inspire. Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll share my first impressions and sketches from the park.

Become a member on my site to receive blog updates and emails, and follow my creative journey through the Smoky Mountains!