Mount Rushmore: A Road Trip, Some Weather, and a Moody Monument

Jennifer Jones
Jun 14
3 min read

My paintings are never intended to make a political statement. I realize that some of my paintings (and some of the ideas that have not made it to canvas yet) tangentially touch on what could be considered political concepts.

The Great Escape (I LOVE road trips!)

In September 2020, Matt and I took a road trip north to South Dakota. I visited Mount Rushmore many years ago and remembered the overwhelming awe of the sight. It is one thing to see a picture of Mount Rushmore, but actually standing on the vista viewing it is breathtaking. The sheer size is amazing. The completion of this masterpiece without computers and many of the tools that make life in today's world easier astounds me. I could not wait to share such an experience with Matt.

With the destination set, we left Oklahoma City, drove through Kansas and Nebraska, stopping along the way to see sights. In Omaha, the weather was hot as we visited the Henry Doorly Zoo. We wore shorts and buckets of sweat as we walked the zoo.

However, as we drove into South Dakota, I was unprepared for a drastic weather change. Unfortunately, it was cold and snowy. Really? In September? Unprepared for the cold, meaning no warm clothes packed, precipitated a stop for long sleeves, jeans, and jackets to make it to the grand destination.

The Foggy Reveal (South Dakota in September)

The day finally arrived, and we drove up to Mount Rushmore. The weather, not cooperating, was wet, foggy, and drizzly. This was not the glorious unveiling for Matt I wanted. However, after days of travel and hours in the car, we got what we got. The drive up the mountainside was a little alarming, but eventually, we arrived to find an almost empty parking lot. Most people had the good sense to come another day. But, as I said, we got what we got. Oklahomans are hardy (and sometimes foolish) folks.

You may not remember the fall of 2020, but I do. The political mudslinging and the angry rhetoric from all political parties were driving me crazy. Anytime I watched the news, I felt like I barely survived a battle. I started limiting my exposure to the news because of how terrible it made me feel about, well, everything. Life couldn't possibly be as terrible as depicted by the media.

Enter Mount Rushmore

As I gazed up at Mount Rushmore, I realized that it looked like the presidents were crying. The drizzle had created streaks down the stone, and it felt like even the presidents couldn't take it anymore.

Inside I chuckled. I understood how they felt. It seemed as though even they were overwhelmed at the state of the world. I snapped this picture not because it was a perfect view, but because it so accurately captured the hopelessness of the world. Since then, in the back of my mind, I kept the idea of painting Mount Rushmore weeping in sorrow in response to the intolerance, bickering, and societal misery.

Last year, I finally started a painting of my rendition of this picture. It is one of those paintings with which I have developed a love/hate relationship. I think I know the direction it needs or wants to go, but it just WON'T play nice. It has a long, long, long way to go, but we are getting there. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

I know color has to be incorporated, but I just can't figure out how. Should the color be in the tears? Should the color be hinted at in the faces? Should the color be in the surrounding stones? The concept just hasn't gelled yet. Here is the state of the very incomplete and "uncolorful" painting.

Not Political. Just Honest.

This painting isn't political. It is a blend of —fog, chill, frustration, and hope—captured in stone and sky. It’s about that moment we all have when we look around at the world and think:

Yep. Even the mountain is done with us.

Thanks for reading!

Have you ever had a piece of art take on a life of its own or reflect something much bigger than you intended? I’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment below or send me a message—and stay tuned for more updates on my crying Mount Rushmore (and whether I ever win my battle with color).