Tremont Mountain Stream is a luminous studio impressionistic acrylic painting that captures the mystical morning light filtering through the dense canopy of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tremont, Townsend, Tennessee. This large 30″ × 40″ work was inspired by stunning reference photos generously shared by dear friend and talented photographer Travis Rhoads. Don Yaun was immediately drawn to the way the warm sunlight pierced the trees, spotlighting the rushing stream as it cascaded over moss-covered rocks and boulders into a serene pool below.
The composition uses multiple transparent glazes to create extraordinary depth in the shadowed areas, with cool purples reflecting off the stones and soft blues in the background enhancing the sense of atmosphere and mystery. The moss-covered borders along the stream and rocks add rich, earthy texture and a sense of ancient, untouched wilderness, while warm morning highlights bathe the central stones and water, drawing the eye like a natural spotlight amid the darker, mystical tones.
Don typically works from his own photographs, but this scene was too compelling to pass up. With Travis’s permission, he brought it to life, and he now plans to explore similar North Georgia streams for future plein air and studio works.
About Tremont Area Tremont is a historic and scenic region within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, known for its pristine streams, old-growth forests, moss-covered rocks and borders, and the Tremont Institute (a former logging camp turned environmental education center). The area’s clear mountain waters, boulder-strewn creeks, lush rhododendron thickets, and verdant moss make it a favorite for photographers and artists seeking timeless Appalachian beauty.