We will be heading back to Yavapai Vista for Day 2 on 5/2 - meeting once again at 8:15 mostly likely by the bench if not in the parking lot. Directions to this trailhead are on the right.
This past week was Day 1 and this time I'm not boring you with parking lot photos (mostly because I didn't take any).
However, some of us did meet up in the parking lot and some at the bench and 2 or, I should say, 3 artists I didn't see until it was time for our group pics.
Oops, looks like I'm going back on my word because I just saw this picture and well, since faces are visible it's easier for you to remember who's who and besides there are times when you're doing a studio painting & you might want a group of people to insert into your painting.
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| Nancy (the Short Timer), Lisa & Sandy |
Yes, Nancy is the Short Timer since she'll be moving away before long. Which reminds me, if you want to join us for lunch on 5/2 even if you can't make it to painting, let me know. Or if you forgot to let me know you're joining us, please let me know -- I need that headcount!
And here is Nori who looks like she's really walking with a purpose on up the trail that bends around to where we now are at the bench.
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| Nori |
So, the 5 of us decided to leave the bench behind and head on up the trail to the actual point that is Yavapai Vista.
Here we are at the flat part of the vista.
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| Nori, Sandy in the center and Lisa mostly hidden except for a head and a leg |
Nancy went up just a little bit further and was looking about for a spot.
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| Nancy |
While Lisa was also looking for a spot
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| Lisa & Nori |
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| Front is Chris with Zoe - in the background from L to R Lisa, Sandy & Nori - everyone in their spots |
We were painting away when much to my surprise, up over the rim comes a smiling person waving - oh wait, it's Time Stamp Nita (9:06 am). Her claim, of course, was that she'd been there for a 1/2 hour (or perhaps more like 5 - 10 min tops!)
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| Nita waving, with Lisa on the left, Sandy's empty spot and Nori |
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| A closer view for Verification purposes 😉 |
Even though my phone didn't provide any clandestine photos of me 👀 in my spot, this photo appeared in a message on my phone with thanks to Chris who took it unbeknownst to me. Thank you Chris!
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| Me in my spot - gee, I almost look like I know what I'm doing. |
I did go up above to get a picture of Nancy in her spot and while there took a picture of spots for your perspective enjoyment!
Well, this first photo is somewhat of an optical illusion, as I can assure you Nancy was not sitting on a slant, but those background rocks really are the way they appear -- hmmmm..
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| Nancy doing a magic trick in her spot as she paints |
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| See what I mean - different photo with the same rocks |
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| Perspective shot -- Nancy in foreground Background (L to R) Lisa, Nori, Sandy w/head down, Chris (my spot you can't see) & Nita (see her hat) |
Being in such close proximity to one another, there were a lot of conversations that went on and stories that were told. For one, we learned that Lisa was trying a new bug deterrent that was made from various essential oils. Sandy commented on how abundant the Cliff Roses were this year.
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| Cliff Rose |
She also mentioned how much she liked their scent. Turns out, their scent was a lot like the bug deterrent Lisa was wearing, but then it was made from essential oils so shouldn't be a surprise. However, Lisa was a little overwhelmed with the scent after she put it on and had to drive with her windows open. Just FYI, it was only overwhelming to her as no one else noticed it and as far as the plant itself went, you had to really lean into it and sniff to discover its scent. But, we do need to find out if it worked as a bug deterrent.
We also were told a funny story about how Nori learned the hard way not to cut or more precisely the wrong tool to use to cut a very large painting done on a board. Oh, and speaking of large paintings, one of Chris's full sheet sized watercolor paintings sold at SAC -- very nice, Congrats Chris!
On one of Sandy's jaunts down to the parking lot, we learned that Robin, Hamilton and LeAnne were also there.
Right on schedule we packed up and headed back down the trail where we found the trio I just mentioned waiting for us.
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| (L to R) Chris (got there ahead of the rest), Robin, Hamilton (the other paw painter) & LeAnne |
And, if you're wondering where that building in the 4th painting in the center on the first row came from, well, think about the parking lot and there's only one building that you see. But Robin sure did make it look pretty!
After a little debate we decided not to take a pic into the sun, so we got ourselves set up in front of our paintings and all smiled on 2!
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| Front Row - Zoe & Me (L to R) Chris, Nita, LeAnne, Nori, Lisa, Sandy, Nancy, Robin & Hamilton |
In case you were wondering, a good time really was had by all, just ask Zoe & Hamilton because they even smiled without knowing how to count down from 3!
Hope to see you next week!
Cecilia