Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Wednesday in Jerome

No time for Yoga this morning. We wanted to get an early start to Jerome the old mining town turned art haven about 25 miles from Sedona. Jerome is truly a painters dream come true. Perched on the side of a mountain, a mile in the sky, old building threatening to fall to the valley and views on this clear day all the way to the Grand Canyon. Galleries of all types are located up and down the streets and I do mean up and down the streets. Painters, potters, weavers and jewelery makers fill the galleries with a feast for the eyes. The artists settled into tiny spots up and down the streets to try to capture the corner of a funky old building or a collection of old signs or just a street scene. We didn't see there completed works since we too wanted to try our hand but we will see their work Saturday morning before we leave town.
Did I mention we had lunch at the Mile High Restaurant. I felt like a local for a minute eating in the Restaurant were the local resident painters hang out. The fellow we met the first day that we were painting in a creek near Sedona has a Studio in Jerome. And on another trip to Jerome I believe that we ate in the same place. Ha, ha like, I felt at home. Lynne liked Jerome and we explored shops and street scenes and photographed it all.
By 4:00 we were pooped and headed home for dinner and then out to hear Stuart Shils talk again about how he got to where he is in his art. From a formally trained artist to the almost totally abstract style he has developed into to day. Once again it was an interesting talk with him not really knowing how he produces his work ' it just happens'. The fact that he almost drank a whole bottle of wine while we listened with not a drop of our own may explain some of his automatic art at this point. Truly his current work is beautiful and mysterious however he gets to it.
Goodnight

Sedona October 26 Tuesday

Secretariat was well worth the money. A movie you could take your children and grandmother to. An old fashioned good story with no body count.
After yoga I positioned Lynne in a spot of her choosing while I went to a pastel painting Demo by Susan Ogilvie. She demonstrated and explained her way to a lovely painting. Even though I haven't done much with pastels I would say that I learned a lot from her. They all talk and explain the same things, value, hue, saturation, soft and hard edges so I think you can learn from any one who is willing to share their knowledge. She was is a very good teacher and taught me some trick of the trade that can be used with any medium.
I picked up Lynne and we had a nice picnic lunch and headed out to paint the mountains again. I actually like the piece I produced and may keep this 'cheerleader'.
This evening there was a Guest Speaker, Stuart Shils, talking about "The Perceptual Moment" I had never heard of him but he is from New York and Philadelphia and is a plein air painter of some renowned. However his work is almost abstract. Lynne was in her glory. The pieces that he brought to show are beautiful and very abstract with just a hint of structure. He has reduced landscapes to the bare bones so to speak. He teaches and seems to be an art history guru so I felt like an art student for a couple of hours. All in all extremely interesting.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Bill Cramer Demo painting.







We had a real treat today as we attended a Demostration painting by Bill Cramer one the plein air painters participating in the Festival this week. Go to his web site to see some of his work. http://www.billcramerpaintings.com/



He started as you see in the photo blocking in the darks and major shapes then like magic the painting appeared.
My attempts seem to fall short after the blocking in process.... Oh well practice practice practice.
We were hoping to paint this afternoon but the weather finally did us in and it was dull all day so we went gallery viewing again and I think now we have done most of them. We are back to our yoga routine again I won't know what to do with out a leader when I get home perhaps I will have to be my own motivater for painting as well as yoga.
We are off to the show to night Secretariat hope it is good.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sunday In Sedona


We moved back to Los Abrigados Resort this morning and then hit the road to discover another painting spot. Our search took us towards Flagstaff and as we climbed to over 6000 feet the trees took on more and more fall colour. Finally we settled on a spot by a tributary of Oak Creek where there was a red rock face that overhang the creek and created a nice reflexion in the water. It was a beautiful little spot. I tried to capture the scene in paint but the light was ever changing so it is a challenge.

About 2:20 the clouds darkened the light went out and we made a hasty retreat as once again we dodged the weather after a beautiful morn.

This was the evening of the Artists reception, each of the 33 artists were allowed to hang 3 pieces and I must say most of them I would have happily owned. The variety of work and the fact that we are able to be so close and talk to the individual artists is a real treat. To hear their stories and to eavesdrop a bit to hear their exchanges with one another was much fun.

Most of them are well known locally or in other parts of the US and they are all represented by galleries and many of them teach.

Needless to say the prices for these pieces were high but I guess they can get it since they are all well established.

All in all another nice day.

Friday and Saturday in Sedona

Friday morning we tried NOMADICS with Cheryl, a total body conditioning class, which combines a movement series designed to reach every joint in the body; incorporating yoga, flexibility, strength and body awareness. I twisted body parts I didn't even know I had. Once again in the cool down and relaxation portion of the class Cheryl treated us to a lovely flute recital.

We packed to move to the Ridge on Sedona golf course but because we couldn't check in until 4:00 we filled our day by washing the car and going to the goodwill to to buy a cover up shirt for painting in since the weather has turned cool and I don't want paint on my fleece.

It actually rained quite a bit today so spent some time in a few galleries had a lovely lunch at the Wildflower and then spent the rest of the day at the Sedona library. I'm in heaven what a lovely library they even allowed me a visitors lending card for $5.00. We checked out several art books in case it continued to rain and headed for our new digs. After checking in we went again to the bar that we had gone to earlier in the week to listen to jazz. There was music that night too but we were a little early and didn't wait for it. Home and a hot tub under the almost full moon. I was the only one in the tub on the side of a hill overlooking an incredible night scape.

Saturday and the Art Festival started at 1:30 but we needed to get in our painting so found a quiet spot in the far reaches of a subdivision with a view of a field of wildflowers in front of a red rock background. By being away from the tourist spots we have avoided the curious eyes of the tourists. Lunch then out into the bright sunny main street of Sedona to watch 33 painters create in 3 hours some amazing paintings, watercolours or pastel art. I like to think that I learned a lot hopefully it will sink in. Most of the artists were very approachable and were happy to pass on little teaching hints. It was fun to watch the different personalities and how they approached their pieces. Some I thought had a struggle to get their work done. Others seemed to be right at home painting while the public leaned over their shoulder. A couple seemed to choose places where you might not notice them.
Some pallets were neat and organized some were chaotic, very interesting and very informative. When the time was up they all gathered in front of the Sedona Art Center and put their still wet paintings in frames and put a price tag on them. Most were in the $400 to $600 range with a couple over $700 and a couple at $350. Well out of this tourists range but all beautiful and I would have loved anyone of them.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Thursday in Sedona


You may have heard of the Sedona Pink Jeep Tours which guide tourists to all the highlights of red rock country via beefy heavy duty 4x4 jeeps however, you probably haven't hear of the Cherry Red Ford Focus Tours. They go the same places but the Focus Tours go considerably slower. Don't tell the rental company but a Ford Focus was seen at the Honanki cliff dwelling's and rock art. We forgot to read the part that said high clearance vehicles recommended. One of the Pink Jeep Tour guides said he was impressed at how we handled a couple of rough spots. So we saved some money on our self tour but sure need a car wash to erase the evidence.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Wednesday

Yoga was just a warm up for our workout today. ZUMBIA ..... Latin American rhythms had us dancing like fools well at least I felt a bit of a fool as I tried to keep up and I kept reminding my self that this was a one hour class and maybe I better take it a bit easy. It was fun though and and by the end Lynne was laughing out loud and wondering if yoga maybe wasn't more our speed.
We met a nay sayer yesterday who said it was going to storm for two days but once again we proved him wrong and were able to paint outside this morning and into the lunch hour. I think I actually have improved a little but don't think that when I get home there will be master pieces; this is definitely a learning experience.
We had a nice lunch in the sun then we headed off to an art store to restock and then I got a hair cut. All in all a very productive day before our usually afternoon thunder and lightning and rain storm. We are drinking beer just now and eating (don't tell) chips and thinking about what is for dinner.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Tuesday in Sedona

Gayle lead us through yoga this morning and we felt quite refreshed after our hike yesterday, my back and legs appreciated the stretchs. Working mostly legs and back muscles she seemed to know we needed it.
After a hardy granola breakfast we again headed off to paint. This time choosing a creek bed which I remembered as slide rock where the kids use the natural terrain to carry them down stream over slippery rocks. Alas the stream this day was reduced to a mear trickle. We painted what we saw while standing in the creekbed on smooth red rocks. Actually it was very pleasant and now that the weather has cooled less stressful. We met one other painter while we were there and it turns out he is a native of Sedona and teaches plein aire painting.
Once again we just missed the afternoon rain storm which came on us just as we were finishing well almot finishing our second painting of the day. I looked up and thought oh oh we're in for it but we packed up and high tailed it down the trail just before it rained like crazy again. One of these times were aren't going to be so lucky.
This evening we went to a Native American Indian talk given by a native American actually a Navajo. Brian Benali, sounds Italian to me but he says no he really is a Navajo and his grandmother calls him crazy or hummingbird. He said she thinks he moves like a hummingbird and he's a bit crazy. Well that about sums him up; he talked a mile a minute and was very informative and we learned a lot in a short time. Did you know that in the Navajo culture the women are the boss? And he said that to the elders in his tribe being called an Indian is not a slur to his people.
After a nice hot tub and writing in this blog its time for bed.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WILL DO TOMORROW........

Monday, October 18, 2010

Sedona Pics







Sunday In Sedona

Saturday started with Yoga with Scott who had us breathing deep and starting our day on the right track. I surprised myself with a nearly balanced tree pose. We were only 4 in the group so we felt like we had our own private yogi.
Then we, Lynne and I packed up for another day of painting. Thank goodness the temperature was down about 10 degrees and a little more comfortable at about 75 degrees. Our first stop was at a popular vortex which over looks Sedona. With yoga and a vortex visit already completed we were ready to paint. The place we chose was a small bluff with an outstanding view of the Cathedral Bluffs very iconic of this area I am sure it has been photographed and painted many times. Lynne did a great job of capturing the scene. I attempted to capture the same scene but either I don't have the same paints or I'm half blind but the result was less than well....... enough said there is always tomorrow. Lunch was great and we made our way home before a rain storm which we had watched approaching all day. The gathering dark sky and billowing clouds added a sense of drama to the already spectacular scenery. It rained but we didn't get wet.
It's Monday now and again we started with yoga but with Cheryl the group however has swelled to a dozen or so but it was still good and an excellent way to start the day. We decided to do a longer hike today so we just packed pencils and I took my watercolours so were could travel lighter. Again we were blessed with a beautiful day about 75 but again huge beautiful puffy clouds building all day. Our hike on Little Horse Trail took us through what I thought was very green vegetation, the contrast of Yucca and cactus and shrubby evergreens and the red rock and red sandy trail make for some memorable hiking. Did I mention the previous day I backed out of a parking space and the under carriage of the car caught on a piece of rebar which was sticking up out of a parking concrete block. Thank goodness for duct tape. We were able to tape it back up and so this afternoon I had to seek out a repair shop to rivet back the thing. Fortunately I was able to find a body shop and they fixed it and I don't think the 'Budget' will notice a thing.
We decided to walk to the local brewery for dinner so that I could have a beer. We had a front row seat for the next gathering storm. Hugh towering cream and white coloured clouds grew over the mountains and as we watched the tops blew off and the colours changed to blue and purple and pink and red. We watched as the lighting flashed across the and we escaped home just in time before the storm broke and the house shook and the rain came down like cats and dogs. There was an inch of water on the lawn and paths but by then we were safe inside. Can you say Camalot?

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Adventures in Sedona Az.

Arrived in Sedona on Friday after a short flight to Phoenix from Calgary and a even shorter nights sleep in Calgary. Up at 4:30 am and off to the Airport for our journey from fall to summer and 85 degree weather. We lightened our wardrobe at the car rental agent and headed up highway
17 leaving Phoeinx and the apprehension of the freeways behind.
I was excited to get to Sedona and the Wildflower bread company for my first bite of a grilled chicken breast, feta, pesto, marinated mushroom, roasted red pepper and tomato on a Chapatti Bun, gourmet Sandwich. It was as I remembered, perfect and I look forward to eating their bread and working my way through the their menu. Yes I do recommend this spot as the first stop in Sedona.
We then cruised a few galleries and the main street, and then headed to Los Abrigados our resort to check in. This resort although older is situated on a wonderful piece of real estate on Oak Creek and next to the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village. The Resort and Village are crafted in the old Mexico style. Huge old sycamore trees and charming courtyards the Resort and Village complement each other to create the perfect spot to spend a couple of weeks.
I am sure we will be happy here and have plenty of time to explore all the amenities as well as all the nearby galleries and shop.entertainment
This blog has now run into Sat. We were up fairly early after a long restfully sleeps that I really appreciated after the previous one. We packed up early for our first plein air painting adventure in red rock country. We found a nice place which had a little shade to shelter us from the sun but gave me a nice view to a towering bluff so typical of the area. I'm not sure I did the scene justice but it was fun trying to capture on canvas what my eyes saw.
This evening we just got back from having a beverage at a nice little bar/restaurant which featured a two man jazz, blues, Latin singing, highly entertaining duo.