Beyond the Postcard: Reimagining the Crystal Mill

Is the Crystal Mill overdone as a subject matter in photographs or art? It is one of the most photographed sites in Colorado after all. I’d say, no, there is always a space for “your version” of an iconic vista. For heaven’s sake, we have a bazillion images of the Eiffel Tower. So, don’t let the haters get to you. You do you!

It’s with this enthusiasm I tackled one of the most stunning views, the Crystal Mill, located in Marble, Colorado in my latest painting series. I’m a sucker for an old mining town wooden building nestled above a turquoise pool on the Crystal River. The place truly is a gem in our wilderness. It beckoned me to bring out its flair.

Crystal Mill in operations in the 1890’s. Photo from Western Mining History.com.

This is my crappy photo from this exact 4×4 trip a decade ago. Thankfully, iPhones have improved a ton since this image was taken.

Now for the brief history lesson, kids. The “Crystal Mill” was historically known as the Sheep Mountain Power House. I know, it’s not as sexy so let’s stick with the Crystal Mill. In 1893, the mill used the river’s mighty flows to power an air compressor for the mining operations. The power drove drills into rock faces where dynamite was inserted in the nearby mines on Sheep Mountain and Bear Mountain. How basic are we in naming these local mountains?? These activities continued until 1917. Today’s beauty is dramatically different from the crowded operational days of the mill. Thanks to the efforts of the Gunnison and Aspen Historical Societies, we are able to still visit this structure today. We love the history and nature nerds!

While the Crystal Mill is coveted for it’s scenery, I’m here to tell you that accessing this point of view is a bit rugged. The location rests a mere six miles east of Marble, CO near the ghost town of Crystal. Don’t let that low mileage fool you. No way is this a drive for the faint hearted. It’s a difficult 4×4 road which is dominated by tricked out Jeeps and Toyota 4Runners.

Work in progress shot of the river section to the Crystal Mill painting.

I leaned into creating the river out of organic and non-organic shapes. The blend helps maintain the “vibe” as I’d say to the piece.

Ten years ago on my birthday week, my husband, sister-in-law and I found ourselves white-knuckling this route unexpectedly in my 20-year-old 4Runner named Tank. It was not a tricked out 4Runner, just a poser punching above it’s weight class. The road is no joke. Each bump on the narrow road sways you into questionable '“topple off the cliff’s edge” territory. Then, you face several water crossings. If you’re like us and you find yourself behind a stranded Jeep mid-river, you lend a hand. I’m a believer in placing a few pennies into the backroads karmic jar (never know when you’ll need to make a withdrawal yourself). Between your gasps, gulps and cheers, you’ll be surrounded by epic views of the backside of the Maroon Bells and fields of waist-high wildflowers. It’s an event. Perhaps this is why so many people find themselves drawn to the magic of the Crystal Mill. It’s a journey to get there and still holds the mystical elements of a forgotten era.

Work in progress image of the Crystal Mill.

Playing with the pinks and blues in loose brush strokes. I want to keep the magic of this place alive in the piece.

In my newest painting, ‘Crystal Mill,’ I focused on embedding an almost magical Shangri-La feeling into the piece. By mixing both subtle and vibrant variations of purples and pinks, I was able to build a scene with the Crystal Mill that does feel out of this world. The flowing stream under the alpenglow sky undoubtedly holds fat rainbow trout. Thanks to the small abstractions of the rocks and river ripples in the fading light, you see the illusion of the river but still with a little bit of whimsy. The evening blue and purple shaded aspens wrap the mill welcomingly. When you look into the different layers of foliage and trees, there are so many different nooks and crannies of different shades and structures. The trees breathe with the energy of life in this painting. That variety is similar to the richness of the forest life around the Crystal Mill itself, which during its heyday definitely was not the case. Even the Crystal Mill itself is shown in a heartwarming pink and purple blend inviting a dreamlike wonder to the structure.

I’m going to be sad to see this original go, but dang someone will have a lovely piece of magic in their space. There is no better way to awaken your imagination than dreaming of the stunning Crystal Mill.

This piece will be making a debut at the upcoming Boulder Fine Arts Festival on September 5th and 6th. Prints are also available. If you’d like more information on the piece or heck this location, please message me.

P.S. Get out there and explore the backroads…

Work in progress shot as I completed the first layers of the Crystal Mill painting.

Look at that bright smile and neon yellow shirt. Just painting this historical building could bring a smile.