June 16, 2026 brought our group to TAPCO along the murky Verde River skirting Cuckoo Island. Although we heard Chats and Summer Tanagers, we were the only cuckoos braving the heat and humidity of the pre-monsoon morning.
We spread out up and down the river to our favorite spots, with Mike, LeAnn, Nita and I breaking trail through the wildflowers and bushes to a lovely view upriver.
When sweat poured into our eyes and down our backs we headed back to the picnic table to admire our plein air works with a passing kayaker–obviously an art critic–who said every painting was gorgeous and he’d buy all of them but he only had a nickel in his life jacket.
I think all of the paintings captured the feeling of morning on the river.
Our intrepid painters included (left to right) Carol, Pete, LeAnn, Tecla, Cris, Ed, Betty, Nita, Mike.
Tuesday Plein Air Group 