Painting with Stitches?

I've seen some incredible scenery this week - The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Yellowstone... rocks and trees and valleys and springs and geysers and volcanoes... I snickered as we drove through Yellowstone today, and a sign appeared that said, "Wildlife exhibit ahead."

"What? Isn't this whole place a wildlife exhibit?" I exclaimed.

Where else would I see bison hanging out next to a smoking caldera?

Since I started knitting, I've noticed that I look at this scenery with different eyes. I wonder to myself, "Could I make this scene with knit stitches? Could I find colours that match, or detail the intricacies with cables and slanted stitches? Could I paint this scene in a garment?"

I'm thinking more and more that I can.

Imagine something that suggests the curving branches and ashen pine cones of the lower branches of this tree at "The Paintpots" I saw today.

Or maybe the colours of this spring in West Thumb next to Yellowstone Lake.

It's made me think back to this post I wrote in the spring. While I strained my eyes looking for elk through the trees today, I worked out a way that I might be able to make this project work. And I know I want it to be cream or white (at least I think I do... we'll see what happens). I know how I will sculpt trees with stitches and, and I know that I won't be able to do the whole thing in one piece. I know how I will sew pieces together to overlap them the way I want.

It feels good to stretch some creative muscles. I feel excited to give this a try. This is one area of my life where I feel like I have total control, no restrictions, no one holding me back or telling me that I shouldn't try. I know I can do this.

So, the next question is: Do I need to buy any yarn for this? Hmmm...