Eastward Ho!

"On the Edge" 11x14, oil, en plein air
available through Windrush Gallery
800-323-0115 - info@windrushgallery.net

This will most likely be my last post for awhile, and certainly my last Sedona post until next fall. We are wrapping up life here in Red Rock Country and are preparing to head for distant lands. We'll go north a bit first - Utah, where I have a workshop to teach - and then, finally, east. And we'll keep going east for about 3000 miles! With stops in Illinois, Indiana and Vermont for workshops, we won't put the horse to rest until we get to Campobello Island. I do hope to post again in Utah.

With that in mind, I leave you with this final Sedona painting. It's one I did just off the Schnebly Hill Road.

Happy trails!

The Creek Rising and Other Signs of Spring

We've been painting water lately. It's an appropriate subject this time of year in Sedona, because the deep snows up in Flagstaff are melting and the creeks are up. Painting water is, one might say, another sign of spring. We've got many signs of spring now. The giant cottonwoods have already budded and are raining down catkins along the creek. On the hills, the manzanita - "little apple," in Spanish - are rich with fragrant blossoms and buzzing with bees. The quail, comical to us as they chase one another at dusk, pursue life seriously now that the mating season is here. And the painters, well, they paint.

I've done several small paintings of water this week. Here are two of my favorites.

"Spring Creek Rush 1" 5x5, pastel - contact Michael


"Spring Creek Rush 2" 7x7, pastel - contact Michael

Crescent Moon Cottonwood

"Crescent Moon Cottonwood" 12x9, pastel - contact Michael

We are deep into spring here in Sedona. The cottonwoods are just beginning to bud out. When I painted this one - one of my favorites over at Crescent Moon - the buds hadn't quite started yet. You can see the spring color in the grass, though!

Later this week, I'm hoping to get up to Slide Rock. There are apple trees there. I wonder if they are blooming yet?

Warmer Weather - Spring Thaw

After last week's rain and snow, this week we are now blessed with warmer weather. Daffodils and crocuses have already sprung up in many yards here in Sedona, and the willows are bright green. This time of year, I am always drawn to water. The warm weather melts the snow up the canyon in Flagstaff, and the water charges over the rocks in Oak Creek.

This one I painted in a spot that is new to me. I had to cross a dry creek bed, full of cobblestsones, to reach a vantage point right at the edge. I didn't have much room to set up in, just enough for my feet and easel. The roar of the water was deafening.

"Spring Thaw" 12x9, oil

available through Windrush Gallery
800-323-0115 - info@windrushgallery.net

More Grand Canyon

Now that I've had a chance to take a more leisurely look at the sketches I made at the Grand Canyon, I'd thought I'd post a few more that I like. I think these effectively capture the moment.


"Snow in the Morning" (9x12, oil) shows one of the many points that jut out from the South Rim. These cliffs are typically in shadow most of the morning, and any snow that falls on the ledges tends to stay there.


"Departure" (5x7, oil) shows another little point. This one is quite narrow, and I doubt any but the hardiest painter would venture out onto it, especially given the snow and ice that would make for tricky footing.

"Canyon Squalls" (5x7, oil) shows a broad view of the Canyon. We could see a band of snow lying on the distant North Rim. Snow squalls were heading our way, and peek-a-boo sunspots darted here and there on the buttes and temples.

I enjoyed the trip to the Grand Canyon so much that I'm planning on a Grand Canyon Week as part of next year's Paint Sedona workshops. Most likely, this will be in April. If you're interested, please contact me.