LAST LIGHT GRAND CANYON

     I live close enough to the Grand Canyon to be able to pop up there for a few days every now and then. In the winter there aren't as many visitors so is less crowded. I have painted from the overlooks with hundreds of people from all over the world out there to see the sun come up. This scene was at sundown when the colors are more intense. This is a 30x30 studio painting done from a field study and photographic references.

PRESCOTT BURNED TREE

     I have a good friend who had a cabin up in the Prescott National Forest. I came across this small standing burnt tree amongst many other burnt trees that were laying on the ground. I just felt like the little guy had spirit and was trying to grow back, so I had to paint him.

Spider Rock

 I had painted Spider Rock before from the lookout point and sold it on the spot. This time I went out on a rock ledge and set up. I had a very spiritual friend with me and she said there was a lot of spiritual energy in this area. I started to block the painting in and all of a sudden something hit me. It felt like the wrath of all the evil spirits ganging up. I barely made it back to the camper in the parking lot, I had to leave all my painting set up behind. I spent an hour or so in the bathroom before I made my way back to my paints. It hit again and I had to lay down under a 1,000 year old Juniper. I rolled around in pain and all I could see was red for awhile. After about an hour I slowly packed up my gear and made my way back to the truck and drove back to the campground. I was laid up for two days, couldn't eat and barely slept.
   The campground at the mouth of the Canyon is free and it is a wonderful spot with lots of Cottonwood shade trees. My dogs played with a Reservation Dog, (the dogs and horses run free), this one looked like a Lab and a Buffalo mix.
   I finally went back to finish the painting, but there was a tour there. The Indian tour guide told me when I went back down on the ledge to set up that I had to get back on the sidewalk. I did not get to finish the painting there, but not to give up I did manage to finish it back in my studio. I used the field studies to get my colors.
   I just wanted to mention that my group artist's web site Daily Paintworks is having a Help Japan Painting Challenge starting this weekend, so keep an eye out.

TSEGI BEND

   The views from this one point at Canyon De Chelly called Tsegi are fantastic. I painted here one day..ALL DAY..from morning to sundown. The river winds around two bends with four wheel drive trucks driven by Navajo Guides taking people down in the Canyon to see the splendor and magic of this place. The guides know where all the quick sand holes are. Some vehicles get stuck and have to be pulled out. There are small herds of wild horses running though the water. It is a place with a long history that goes back to the 1800s during the Indian wars. The occupants were driven out and herded to Oklahoma on the "Trail of Tears". There were many who died in that war and the awful trek they were forced to make. They are finally all back here at their home now.

VALLEY OF THE SPIRITS

    I finally escaped for the weekend to Canyon de Chelly. I arrived late in afternoon on Friday. The dogs were ready to get out of the truck for a long walk. Jack drug me out onto a plateau when I turned around a saw this scene. I hurried back to my painting equipment and hiked back over to capture the last light into this enchanted valley. I could see the hogans down below where the occupants of the canyon live in the summer. There were some trucks passing through the river bed as well. It was very restful, while at the same time exhilarating.

Brittany

     This is one of the better 10 minute poses of the day with the model, Brittany.