Leila put together a 3-day plein air painting trip to Canyon de Chelly with members of Arizona Pastel Artists Association and Arizona Plein Air Painters. Tuesday afternoon we painted iconic Spider Rock, watching the shadows crawl up the spire, until, as we were packing up, the canyon filled with purple and the top of the spire was golden glory for 5 minutes.
Next day we went into the canyon with Daniel, our Diné guide, plowing his jeep through deep, sandy ruts in the creek bed. The light was too overcast for painting, so we toured the quiet canyon, driving through Gothic arches of cottonwoods and tamarisk, shooing horses off the track, and admiring ancient architecture and pictographs. At White House, Daniel played his flute.
Back on the rim that afternoon, the sun came out and I went back to the South Rim to paint with my feet hanging over the cliff edge, warm air fragrant with the smell of early fall wafting up.
At Ledge House overlook, there were sheep, and sheepdogs doing their jobs.
Tuesday, October 13th, we’ll head back to Jim Thompson trailhead. I’m getting there at 8:00 since it will be hot, and David said hikers are out if full force, making parking a challenge.
Great paintings from the site–thanks, Dan, for sending it. I’m inspired! See you on Tuesday.
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