I’m happy to share my latest painting, A Prayer Vigil. Hitting my stride on a familiar hiking trail one day in Camp Verde, Arizona, about halfway in, a new pathway caught my eye. Curious, I and my embellished hiking stick turned right to investigate it further. Another trail in Camp Verde gifted me the hiking stick. One may access the Clear Creek Trailhead from the gravel parking lot past the campground off Highway 260. I hadn’t used a hiking stick in five years. But the path near the creek insisted I have it. Shortly I found it handy to steady myself when crossing the roaring sap green creek water on a log. I began the stick’s embellishment by wrapping a ripped strip of painted canvas around the top of it and down about four inches. I like the aesthetic of the wheat color of raw canvas with the colors of turquoise, lime green, and red-brown. The cloth guards from splinters and aids my hand’s comfort. I’ll add beads or other beautiful adornments over time - a walking stick-in-process. I returned in a few days to paint the newly discovered scene on the opposite side of a much-loved mountain I had painted twice. This new vista intrigued me. A shapely pine tree sits at the bottom of the white rocky hill where the path leads to it. Sedona’s red rock mountains appear pink, seen far off in the distance. The blue and green mountains of Camp Verde are near in sight. “While Sedona is famous for its red rocks, the landscape surrounding Camp Verde is known for its stark white rock.” - Visit Camp Verde website. Bright white rocks comprising minerals and sediment lend a loose texture to the hill. Wildflowers in blooms of varying hues of yellow, shocking red, carnation pink, and matronly mauve dot the hillside. Their leaves in cool and warm shades of green add contrast and interest. The sunlight shining just behind the hill cast long shadows, adding dramatic flair to the view. I finished the painting afterward in a couple of studio sessions. Article Source: The Land of White Rocks A Prayer Vigil, Oil on Canvas, 11 x 14 inches. This original painting will be available 6-12 months after it dries. You may purchase it now as a print, a greeting card, and more. |
Here you will read my art notes where I share latest paintings and musings. I welcome your comments. Published Mondays by 7 pm (Mountain Std Time), typically at 5:30 pm MST. Send Mail
Sunday, May 29, 2022
A Prayer Vigil
Thursday, February 3, 2022
The Conversation at Cathedral Rock - Plein Air Painting - Now Available
| The Conversation at Cathedral Rock 8 x 11 inches, Oil on Paper |
This Sedona plein air painting began on the trail on Thursday at Cathedral Rock. This is where it ended up as I hustled to beat the rain. I situated myself off trail thinking I would be safe from other hikers. Ha! Much to my chagrin, crazy tourists who don’t know the trail were making beelines straight toward me!
| Cathedral Rock Sedona, Arizona |
I had some beautiful socially-distanced conversations. They were kind enough to compliment me on my painting. The Sedona mountains have always challenged me. They have so many intricacies. I have to really work to keep it simple.
Get the Painting Here
The Meeting - Sedona Plein Air Painting - Now Available
Back to Sedona to paint. Ahhhh…feels so good! I was listening to Dr. Alberto Villoldo. He said that our blood is made up of 70% iron. That must be why Sedona feels so good to so many. Iron in the rocks is what makes them the red color. Our bodies feel more in the flow when in the red rocks. Iron meeting iron, like meeting like, like old friends, comfortable connections. Life just feels good in Sedona.
| The Meeting, 11 x 17 inches, Oil on Wood |
I love this spot because I can always find a rock ledge to sit on while I paint. My easel sits comfortably in front of me while I enjoy the scene before and around me. Imagine your favorite scene and how it makes you feel. This scene makes me feel serene and well-nourished.
Sedona, Arizona - Courthouse Butte Trail
