Painting On Location at the Salt Mine

 

Painting on location at the Salt Mine, plein air
36 x 41 inches
Mixed Media on Canvas

It was a gorgeous day with large puffy white clouds against a cerulean blue sky. I set up my painting supplies on a patch of conveniently placed concrete. The view was amazing.

I stood looking at the vastness. Should I turn my canvas to paint the scene just to the left of this scene? Or should I leave it as is? I looked up with those questions in mind. A bird caught my eye over the canyon, flying high above the mountain directly across from me. What? Is that a bald eagle? Yes! It was as I incredulously looked for and validated the telltale white tail and white head. I couldn’t believe it. In the six years I’ve lived in Camp Verde, Arizona, and the many times I’ve hiked this location, I’ve never seen an eagle here, only hundreds of ravens and some turkey vultures.

The vast scene before me.

Eagle sightings are rare where I live. The past year has netted me three sightings. I saw none in the four years prior. I feel blessed every time. So, this was my sign. The canvas is facing the correct direction. I usually see a red-tailed hawk as my messenger. One time down by the river, it was a snowy egret.

I started with a chunky graphite stick and drew the parts of the scene I wanted to paint. Then, I painted. When I was close to filling in all the colors except the green, the wind picked up in gusts. I asked if I could please paint the green. I painted the green, but not without a fight. The wind moved my canvas around, flipping it back onto itself several times. The rock weights at the corners were no contest to the determination of that afternoon wind. I finally had to surrender. Packing up was fun. Ha! I packed as best I could, folding the canvas in half and quickly hiking back.

The scene to the right of where I was painting.

I laid the painting on my deck to dry when I returned home. I’ve been working on it and will show you the final version when it’s complete.

Can I hear from you?

What do you think? Am I lucky to have this beauty available to paint? I love to hear your comments.

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© 2023, Mary Rush Artist - Wildfeather Fine Art

Final Painting - Verde River at Copper Canyon Trailhead

 

Verde River at Copper Canyon Trailhead
48 x 41.25 inches
Mixed Media on Canvas
$1,200

"There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction."–John F. Kennedy

I prepared a canvas on Monday. All I had to do was pack my backpack and grab the canvas. Off I went. I arrived at Copper Canyon Trailhead and unloaded my gear. I hurried to the rail, ducked under, and hurried down the trail. It was after 3 pm, so I wanted to get to the waterfall quickly to paint and hike back before dark.

I wasn't sure if I should go because of the impending rain. But, oh man, I was determined to see that waterfall and paint at its edge! But the further I went, sliding on the mud in places, I finally turned back to the car. I stood at the railing and wondered if it was raining in the mountains. Maybe it was just sunlight rays. 😀 I got in the car after deciding it was too risky. I drove about 1/4 mile and turned around at the shooting range.

I am going to paint! I prayed to God and the powers-to-be to lift the clouds and hold the rain until I got back home. Faith! I must have faith! I hadn't felt such determination in myself for a long time. It felt exhilarating. 


“It’s his crazy risk-taking that makes his work extra special.” –Forbidden City, William Bell

Determined to Paint

So, out of the car again, I grabbed my gear and marched down the trail, not to be stopped by anything. I walked quicker than I ever had to beat the rain and the light. I finally reached the turn-off for the waterfall.

What? No!!! It can't be! The area was closed! I wasn't going to get to the waterfall after all my gyrations. I felt tempted to go anyway. But I figured the U. S. Forest Service had good reason for closing it, so I stood incredulous for a few minutes and turned back down the trail in search of another spot anywhere near as exciting to paint.

I found one spot where the stream had a nice zig-zag in its curve. And the trees were amazing. A clearing to lay my canvas on was there too.

A young couple gazed my way as they walked down the trail. I waved and said hi. They walked on.

My excitement returned. I was going to paint. To be outside painting is still a thrill for me. And painting on the ground is freeing and fun; it connects me to the land. I painted until it felt time to go when the clouds were getting dark. I could feel rain in the air. The way the trails flood would not be safe to be out there. I made enough progress on the painting to be satisfied.

Back at Home

I laid the painting on the deck floor when I returned home. It was cold and windy, so I put my coat and hat on and worked on the upper right section, and painted white over the background. I'll hang it on the wall inside and see what else needs to be done. It's wild and free right now, just like the land and the nature scene where I painted. I want to let that rough, authentic, wild side of its essence shine through

Living with fear stops us from taking risks, and if you don't go out on the branch, you're never going to get the best fruit.-Sarah Parish

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© 2023, Mary Rush Artist - Wildfeather Fine Art