James McLean, “Verde Rock Hopper” The weather looked unsettled this morning, with fog and misty rain over Mingus Mountain, but storms held off until we had finished painting. Despite muddy waters, kids were having a great time cannonballing into the “Dirty Verde” from the rope swing upriver. Craig showed up with fresh-picked peaches and his…

In search of a plein air painting spot in Oak Creek Canyon, I headed upcanyon on the recently reopened road.  Slide Rock is open, but only so visitors can sadly gawk at the black, ash-choked, fire retardant-filled water, guarded by yellow tape and vigilant park rangers.  All the picnic areas and campsites are closed on…

Fearing mud up to our knees from the monsoon, we were relieved to find that the banks were sandy and mostly dry.  Recent rainfall turned the Verde into a surging mocha latte, but Christine was able to capture lovely lavender and lilac light reflections. Setting up my easel in a stand of willows I breathed…

Intending to paddle Clear Creek near Winslow, monsoon clouds loomed, hinting of flash flooding so I exchanged my kayak for watercolors and painted the quiet reservoir, listened to frogsong and the lilting call of a redwing blackbird (heard but not seen) in the cattails. One of these days my plein air efforts will be successful,…

Fun hogs, swimmers and baskers were horribly disappointed with Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing. The once clear water was now a dark chocolate brew from the Pocket Fire ash, the swimming hole below the little waterfall curdled with foul yellow foam. Two teenagers grabbed the rope swing over the seething mess, took a tentative…

Our plein air group braved the heat and humidity to paint in Mike’s Secret Spot, aka Under the Bridge. Thanks to Betty for her photos. Next week, July 21 we meet at the Tuzigoot take-out on the Verde River. The location is the parking lot on Tuzigoot Road, first right after you cross the bridge.…

Mike Trulson, “Under the Bridge” Despite scorching temps, the intrepid Tuesday Plein Air group met in a spot dubbed, “Under the Bridge.” The spot has good shade below the bridge and fast flowing water from the creek. Next week the group will gather there for Day 2, at 8:30. Big thanks to Gail for her…

The weather cooperated at Page Springs Hatchery, with calm after days of gale force winds.  We thought about the Pocket Fire now raging near Kachina Village, where Suzie has a cabin and “go bag” next to the front door, and offered a few prayers for rain and safety for the wildland firefighters. Christine, Suzie, Mike,…

Page Springs Hatchery, an oasis along Oak Creek’s riparian corridor, offered our plein air painters cool shade in the scorching pre-monsoon heat.  The “show pond” harbors a seething mass of trout that Ed teased with handfuls of trout snacks, available for purchase from the little vending machines.  The thick fragrance (or reek) of fish, honeysuckle,…

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…