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| The Power of Water - how the flooding we experienced has changed the terrain. |
I know it's hard for you to tell from this photo and I tried to find some pics that could show you the difference that flooding we had this winter caused. But, you're just going to have to take my word for it along with the word of everyone else who was there this past week that had been there before. But, hey, it gave us a change in the scenery to paint! So, next week we’ll head there for Day 2 once again meeting at 8:15 on Tuesday, 6/6. The directions can be found on the right.
Suzette and I arrived there at 8:00 and found that Denise was sitting in her car and waiting for us. Yes, Denise has returned to Sedona for the summer and we're happy to have her back - she’s escaped from the valley & the heat.
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| (L to R) Denise, Suzette Cathy arrived shortly after & then Sandy  |
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| Sandy |
While we stood around and chatted for a bit, we decided that we might as well go on ahead to the river as most people knew where to go anyway. Oh, also as you can see, it's a big parking area. Just something to keep in mind if you're thinking about joining us next week -- there's plenty of space!
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| In the distance is Cathy and walking on the right is Suzette |
This above pic gives you an idea of how much sand and dune like the area is now. Also all that vegetation that Suzette is walking alongside of didn't exist before.
While we were still all exploring a bit, along came Nita & LeAnne -- geez, Nita really was early, I mean really early. She had to arrive before the actual meetup time because this photo has a time stamp of 8:20.
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| (L to R) Nita & LeAnne |
Well, this brings us to 1/2 the final headcount + me. Not sure if people hit traffic or they knew that parking wouldn't be a problem, but they seemed to have taken their time getting there and kept wandering on in. But, before we get to them, let me share a few reflections.
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| Where it looks like it's flowing slowly |
Oh, just so you know, that white stuff you see on top of the water is cotton from the Cottonwood trees. You'll also see it in at least one other photo in the air, so it's not a dusty lens, it was really there.
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| Here the water is not quite so serene looking (no reflections here) - see the cotton in the air (those white spots) and (L to R) Sandy & Denise |
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| Cathy -- hmmm, and it looks like two heads in the background |
I think we need to get a closer look at them, they just might be people we know.
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| Look at that -- it's Carolyn & Tecla coming up behind Cathy |
Gee, we haven't seen them in a while -- what a treat, glad they could make it. Wow, so now we're at 10, but it ain't over yet. Two more people arrived, but before I get to them I have to show you some great photos that LeAnne shared with me -- thank you LeAnne
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| Tecla found a very comfy spot in the shade (Photo by LeAnne) |
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| Cathy - her spot adapted well to her chair (Photo by LeAnne) |
Well, before I get lost and start showing you barefoot people, let me tell you about who else showed up.
At some point Suzie showed up and I just wasn't alert enough to capture her arrival and I can't believe this, but it appears I totally missed getting a pic of her in her spot.
Oh, no, I take that back - I just found her (I did have to zoom in quite a bit) -- look at this pic and you'll see her back behind Denise
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| Denise in the front and Suzie in the back |
The 12th person who snuck in without my noticing until close to wrap up time was Nori and here she is in her spot.
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| Nori in her spot and Nita seated in hers |
A few other spots you haven't seen are these.
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| Suzette in her spot |
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| Carolyn in her spot and LeAnne in hers |
Bet you were wondering about that barefoot remark from earlier. No, I'm not losing it, Sandy happened to mention that it might be easier to walk in the sand like Cathy was doing, without her shoes. See
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| Cathy, barefoot in her spot |
I'll share with you a photo that LeAnne captured with me in it, although I'm not readily identifiable.
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| (Front to Back) Some unknown dog who took a liking to Nita, behind Nita is Nori Then Cathy & Sandy, up on the mound behind them is Denise in the Back is Me and Carolyn (Photo by LeAnne) |
Here's another group photo that shows what a great spot this is populated with artists!
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| As you can see, at this point people were wandering and visiting |
Oh, I think I found the reason why that dog was so interested in Nita - here look
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| No that spoon wasn't being used for her watercolor -- it was from her breakfast! |
Lucky for us the the area does have a lot of large trees which means that they not only provide shade but... Well, sometimes their exposed roots provide a great display area for our gallery.
Oh, I'll provide you with a slightly more zoomed in look at the wonderful pieces of artwork, but I wanted you to see how great they looked in this wonderful setting. Picture perfect!
Now, for the 12 artists that created those great paintings -- oh wait, you need to know this. As we were deciding on where to stand for our photo, Sandy kept saying "we can take our paintings down and then some of us can sit on the log". Now, she said this multiple times. I, however, quickly stated that "No one had to sit on the log!!!" Because, let's face it, we all know there were things living in there. Well, in the end, a few courageous souls did opt to sit on the log and a few stood behind and then a couple of us in front where we all smiled on 2.
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| (Back to Front and L to R) Suzie, Denise, Suzette, Nita, LeAnne Nori, Sandy, Tecla, Carolyn, Cathy Cathy & Me |
Wasn't that nice of Nori to hold the branch back so that it didn't whop Cathy in the back of the head. It was definitely a fun place to spend Plein Air Tuesday!
Cecilia