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Monday, June 6, 2011

Sedona Views, 2x3 Inches each

I've been out of touch for about a week, as I was on a painting trip in Sedona.  We stayed in a wonderful suite with a balcony with a 180 degree view of the gorgeous red rocks.  Here, is that view, from the left view, the straight ahead view, and the view to the right.  My favorite was Snoopy Rock,  the straight on view - as he lies on his doghouse on his back:



These were each done at different times of the day, so the light was different on each.  It took DAYS to get the hang of the red rocks.  It was so magnificent.  I kept looking and saying to myself "This is perfection - anything I do will be 'less'.."  but still I had to try!

When I arrived, my friend Mary and I stopped at the Scottsdale Artists' School and picked up new, AWESOME plein air easels.  Photo below:


And...well it was really, really, REALLY windy the first day out, and I had set up near the edge of a cliff (yes... I do now look back and ask myself "Why?") and the expected happened:  a huge gust of wind picked up my easel and tossed it over the edge of the cliff - fortunately before I had opened my Gamsol container!!!  See cliff below:
It's hard to see, I know, but this little ledge at the bottom was about 4 feet from the top level, and my palette broke away from the tripod and got caught on the rocks to the left of the dead tree which was hanging over the edge of the cliff, and the tripod and panel got jammed up in the tree.  My brushes were jettisoned off the cliff entirely, landing like missiles on the bank of the creek below.  Fortunately Carol had just had a dream about mountain climbing, and, instead of being mad that I almost impaled her, grabbed the brushes and bravely scaled the sheer side of the rock, and brought them back to me!
Note to self: Remember what you already knew about filling a bag with rocks and hooking it to the easel....
Sorry this is such a long post!  It was such an EXcellent adventure!

24 comments:

  1. Beautiful red rock. And one of my most favorite places Kelley - and what an adventure you had! Spent a lot of time in the town?

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  2. GEEZ
    I first read it on Carols blog- what an adventure- so glad it wasn't a loss! We should all bring Carol with us everywhere!
    I love the red rocks....!
    miss you here- get home!

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  3. Reading your post was such a great way to start my week. So funny. I love your spunk.
    Your paintings are great. What a view!

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  4. Wow, you sure had your hands full, or not; seems you lost it all over the cliff. I lesser woman would have cried. You are seasoned and looks like you moved right along with the flow of things. The red rocks are gorgeous. John Tesh did a concert from Sedona once and his music just resounded throughout. Thanks for teaching me a few tricks about plein air painting hazards. I'll remember when I start going out, even if it's in the safety of my own back yard.
    Have a great week.

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  5. It was an adventure - but actually, we made 2 trips into town - I did a lot of wipers!!!

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  6. You rock Kelley!
    These are fabulous paintings. I have a good friend who moved out west so that she could paint these rocks. I love the light in the last one. And your easel move sounds like a Susan Medyn move. I am always finding something aflutter...usually not me though.

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  7. I'm so glad you had a great trip and a memorable adventure! Your red rock paintings are TERRIFIC and thanks for sharing your photos and even the mishap-loved reading this.

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  8. Kelley! So glad YOU didn't go flying off the cliff ... your windy adventure is what my husband and I call "great anecdote, bad reality"! And what a great shot of Carol climbing back up with your brushes. Looks like you recovered well. I LOVE these three little paintings from your balcony. You write that they're 2x3, but they look 2x6 to me? Anyway, awesome job capturing that beautiful view!

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  9. Yes, Karen, I said '2x3' because I was too LAZY to go measure them, they are actually 2 1/2 x 8. It was a late night post..... still discombobulated from traveling! It was a bear to come home - our tickets got cancelled, nightmare to purchase new ones, etc!

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  10. Great paintings! Great views! Great location! Great rocks!

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  11. Beautiful paintings, and I am so glad you are safely home.

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  12. I'm coveting your cool new easel! What a way to break it in! What a great and adventurous friend to go rescue it. What a story!

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  13. What a fabulous sounding trip...except for the gusty wind adventure. Can't wait to see what paintings come out of your trip. Love the rocks.

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  14. What an adventure!!! This wasn't the reunion class I missed was it??? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Sedona and you captured the red rocks beautifully. So glad you didn't go sliding off the rocks and Carol was able to grab your brushes. I saw you in your blog post!!
    xoxo
    deb

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  15. I have thoroughly enjoyed every painting and post from the trip. Just sounds like a fabulous adventure and the trip of a lifetime. I don't think anyone cares what is painted...the experience of being there in that environment with fellow artists is what IT is all about! Happy for you and of course, glad home safe with all your goodies and techno things!!

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  16. Sounds like a fantastic time and I love the view you guys had. I wouldn't know where to start!

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  17. These paintings are wonderful, and what and adventure! Glad the new easel came out ok (?)

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  18. Laughing and painting. What a wonderful life.

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  19. Thanks guys - Mary the easel was unharmed in this comedic concoction of nature and ineptitude! Suzanne.... we are lucky, no?

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  20. What wonderful sweet little paintings and I love your new easel. I need to invest in a lighter easel for plein air, I lug a full size french easel around. We artists have to be tough, lol.

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  21. Ah,the perils of plein air painting!! Reminds me of the day a giant spider dropped down out of the tree I was standing under for shade right onto my hair and proceeded to crawl across the rim of my glasses. Is it any wonder I tend to stick close to my studio these days -lol? I am glad your adventure turned out well and your red rock paintings were well worth the effort!

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  22. The vortex's must have given you guys protective energy as well as creative!
    I love that area, tried to paint it too - I know what you mean about the "perfect subject". Reading your post brings back memories from a trip through there 2 years ago..

    Nice to catch up on your blog (Carols also)...missing the art world.
    Tres

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  23. What an adventure, Kelley! Glad you and your gear survived. How do you like the easel? Love your red rock paintings! I hope you post some more work inspired by your trip.
    PS: Your posts are never too long :-)

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  24. Kelley, What a great post! I love your red rock paintings, especially the top one! What a wonderful trip that you all had, sounds like so much fun!! Thanks for sharing!

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