Plein Air Tuesday - 9/26/23 -- Slide Rock (the Preview)

 

Apple anyone?

We started out by meeting in the parking lot down behind SAC.  Suzette and I arrived and Chris, Sandy & Nita (just realized she was there really early -- Wow -- impressive Nita) were already waiting.

(L to R) Suzette, Chris, Sandy & Nita

Oh, and much to my surprise when we got out of the car - the WIND was whipping through there.  But, that does seem to be the case for that particular area, as it wasn't the first time we arrived in that lot and experienced heavy winds.  Mike and his mug arrived next.  Oh look at the smoke in the background.

Mike with his trusty mug of coffee

Christine came along next and was followed right after by Cynde.

(L to R) Mike's leg, Christine and Chris

Cynde

Cynde was also eating her breakfast -- of all things an apple and it wasn't one from the tree in the first picture.

Well, wasn't that convenient, there were 8 of us and 2 of the artists have State Park Passes.  So, after waiting until just after 8:30,  we all piled into 2 different vehicles making sure passes were brought along and headed up to Slide Rock where, upon arrival, we all immediately started wandering around because we had so many choices of places to paint.

Chris & Nita just starting out

Christine was the only one that got right to it, she picked the first orchard meadow we came to.

(L to R) Suzette (half hidden by a tree) and Blue hat is Christine 

At first I thought that was where Suzette was going to stay too, but nope, she had to check out a lot of places too.

Suzette

Here's Sandy heading out down the path -- but staring at her phone for some reason.

Sandy

Here's Chris, Nita & Mike looking around and this isn't where they wound up either.  Although, it's possible Nita's spot was near there.

(L to R) Chris, Nita, Mike

See what I mean, here's Chris and if you look close you'll realize that's Nita on the left.  Still wandering around.

(L to R) Nita on the edge and Chris

There really was a lot to look at and decisions for a spot to pick were not easily made by anyone as is obvious by all the wandering that went on.

Mike, Nita

Still undecided - oh, hate to state the obvious but,  I clearly had a tough time picking a spot too which is why I was able to get all these pics of people wandering around.

(L to R) Chris, Nita, Mike

Suzette definitely took a lot of pictures and was still wandering

Mike still wandering

 

I wasn't kidding about everyone just wandering around.  I think that's the most time any of us has ever spent trying to decide on a spot, but all doing it gleefully.

Spots were found by Mike & Suzette -- Nita was just busy taking pics

I was located on the other side of the path from Mike & Suzette and Sandy was just across from me.

Sandy's Spot

Sandy IN her Spot

I did wander down to the water and it's my understanding that was where Cynde wound up, however, I never saw her.  She took off quite quickly from the parking lot and didn't see her again until gallery time.  But, here are some pics from the walk to the water.

Chris went off to hide under an apple tree and created her own little apple still life (you'll see it in the gallery).

Chris

Well, when it was well past our usual 2 hours, we finally wrapped things up and built our gallery.  

Oh, I forgot to mention.  David was actually there, but we have no idea where as we didn't see him until we were wrapping up.  I did hear from him though.  Here's his text and my response.

Aren't you impressed with my reply, really sounded like I knew where I was 😳.  Geez, I just realized he didn't have Christie join us for the photo, also never found out if she caught any fish either as that was what she had wanted to do.   Sorry about that, I clearly wasn't organized enough and we really would have loved to have had her in it.

But, when all was said and done, everyone commented on how we were really glad we went there to do a "preview" for the Slide Rock Fest on 10/7.  It really helped us to decide what we would be doing on that day, looks like we'll be very busy painting.  With so many options, it'll be nice to have more time.   Everyone loved the location and we also decided that we will be adding this to our regular rounds even though we all don't have a State Park Pass.  When we're just doing our regular paint outs, we can always carpool.   Also, if there's anyone that still wants to sign up for the 7th, let me know.

Well, back to our group photo of happy wandering artists who all managed to smile on 2 and thankfully wandered into the photo!

(Back to Front - L to R)
Christine, David, Sandy, Nita, Mike, Suzette, Chris
Me, Cynde

Well, from that photo it's obvious the ones that looked for shade that morning and didn't need to have the sun shining on them -- it was something Mike was very preoccupied with when we were deciding on spots.  It was all I kept hearing him say, this spot will be in the shade, that spot will be in the shade, I think this spot will be in the shade the whole time we're here.  Gee, if this location didn't have an official name we could've called it "The place that has spots in the shade".  Something like Ed's place where he kept saying "It's really pretty when there's water in it".  Well, anyway the rest of us at the beginning needed sun and after just a bit we were wishing we did follow Mike's advice and pick the shade.

We're starting to head into the Fall temps, will have to think about bringing another top/jacket along.

Oh before I go - directions to where to meet at Tlaquepaque can be found on the right.

Have a good week!

Cecilia

Plein Air Tuesday - 9/19/23 - Posse Grounds

 

Mike's Mug is waiting under the spout 😉

Here's where I find out whether or not you actually read what's under the photos or even the blog for that matter.  Ok, enough for the test or at the very least I hope you got the joke.  

Suzette and I arrived and found Christine & Sophie getting stuff out of their vehicles and chatting.  I was not prepared and have no photos of this particular arrival  (I was the driver this day, so my cell phone was not in hand).

But I did get one of Sophie heading off down the trail.

Sophie

Front to Back - Suzette & Christine

Funny, although I stated Front to Back, that probably isn't right because technically Christine is in front of Suzette.  However, Suzette is in the forefront of the photo -- hmmm.  How about the artist with the large Black backpack is Suzette.  All this explanation because I took a pic of them from behind.  

No sooner then we started out we saw someone walking swiftly towards us, watercolor palette in hand.

Bob

It was Bob, and you know what -- I never did see where his spot wound up being.  I think I did catch him wandering a bit though.  Speaking of wandering

Sophie

Sophie

Sophie

Yes, in case you were wondering, that's Sophie the wanderer doing her thing.  Although I was at least able to find her in her spot eventually.  That's something I can't say about everyone in the group this day.  And, here she is -- geez, after all those open spots I found her in, check this out.

Sophie in her Spot

Christine found a very interesting tree she decided to claim for her spot.  When Bob walked past he realized there was a path that way and decided to take it.

Christine, Bob

While I was also looking for my spot, I saw this -- isn't it weird?  Oh don't be silly, I'm not talking about the legs off to the right, that's just Sophie who was still wandering.  However, when you look at the pic, you'll see what I mean.

Now the fact that a branch from a tree was put across a trail to stop you from walking that way isn't odd.  BUT, the fact that they completed the killing of the cactus and included a downed "trail" sign to do it is a bit mind boggling.

Oh look what I just found - a front facing pic of Suzette as she was looking for her spot.  How about that, you can actually see her face in this one, well, sort of.

Suzette

Then much to my surprise, we had a returner -- Cynde (in case you're wondering what a "returner" is -- it's someone who's returned to the area and joined us after being away for a while, like the whole Summer).

Cynde

Oh, here's a fun one -- check it out, we've got "above" and "below".

(Above) Nori, (Below) Suzette

You're probably questioning whether or not that's really Nori -- I'll show you.

See, it's Nori

Then Denise popped up right along side her.

Nori with Denise waving

Denise always has such a bright smile - very cheery and the way she just popped up like that made me smile.

Here's Nori & Suzette in their spots with Christine on the side.

(L to R) Christine, Nori, Suzette, then far right Denise

Well, Denise is certainly busy surprising us this day, it looks like she was doing a dance 💃 or I suppose she was just doing her best not to stumble on loose rocks. 

It looks like Denise danced right on over to her spot - or at least I think this was her spot.

Denise in her spot

I had heard that David was there and I went looking for him, TWICE.  I did receive this text from him though.

A cave, that really had me curious which was when I had tried for the second time to find him -- it didn't happen, but he did provide this selfie.

David & his cave

We really were spread out a bit and I sort of lost track of who was there, so when it came time for the final photos, there were a few missing.  In fact, I didn't find out that Mike was there until I was heading to my car.  Fortunately I was able to get a photo of him and his painting and also Bob and his painting.  I'll show them to you after, so when you think it's all said and done (which is usually after the smile on 2), read on, because there's more.

Well here's our gallery minus a few, which were Mike, Bob and also Sophie -- we all thought she had wandered right on home, but it turns out she was just a little late and the gallery had already closed.  Or, in other words, we picked up our paintings and were heading home.  

Oops wait before I show you the gallery let me just tell you about Chris.  You see she arrived and I clearly wasn't prepared to catch a photo of her, but you'll see she was there because she's in the final photo.  In fact she made it in time to do 2 paintings and was there for the gallery shot and the group.  I just didn't get any others of her. Oh, by the way, she's also a "returner" and we're happy to have her back!!  Welcome back Chris!!  You'll see her in the group photo.

Look at this happy group all smiling on 2!  Now don't forget you still have to go past what would normally be the final photo.

(Back Row L to R) Christine, Nori, David, Denise, Suzette, Chris
(Front L to R) Me, Cynde

See, I told you Chris was there.  I didn't get a photo of Sophie as I mentioned but here are Mike and Bob.

In fact this was the first I saw of Mike.

Mike

He saw my car so he knew we were there someplace and he also saw Bob, so he painted fairly close to the parking lot.  But, here he is with his painting.

Mike

And, because Bob didn't make it back over to us either, here he is with his paintings.

Bob

Ok, well, that finally wraps it up.  Hope to see you all next week as we head out to Slide Rock to check things out before they have their Fall Fest in October which a number of you have signed up for.

Till Tuesday!

Cecilia

Plein Air Tuesday - 9/12/23 - Day 2 - End of Verde Valley School Rd.

 

I guess labeling this location as the "End Of Verde Valley School Rd" doesn't really do it justice, however, since Cathedral Rock can be seen from multiple places ...  

So, I arrived at the End of Verde Valley School Rd a bit early and sort of hung out in my car until this fellow appeared.

Mike - no mug

Yes, it was Mike and by "no mug" I'm not referring to his face but his coffee mug, so stop laughing.

We waited for a bit but as 8:15 came and went and we weren't hearing any cars coming down the road, we headed on down to the creek to find our spots.

Mike at the creek

As the two of us were wandering around looking for spots I saw a person carrying what looked like a canvas panel, it was a guy but I wasn't quite sure who it was.   I recognized the hat and thought for a second it was Ed, but it wasn't.

Person with canvas panel, NOT Ed

Ok, I did get to see his face right after that but didn't get a picture.  I was so surprised that I didn't think to take a photo.  You see it was David who has been away for the whole Summer.  Welcome Back David!!

David & Mike

And, here is where & when I learned something I never thought of about beards.  Bet that has you wondering,  well you'll have to keep reading to find out what I'm talking about.

David was surprised to see that Mike grew a beard too  -- hmmm, guess David hasn't been reading the blog or not really looking at the pictures, anyway moving on.

Mike in his spot

Nothing to see here folks, just Mike hiding behind a bunch of trees again.  Of course, the area has become so overgrown that if you want a view of the water, that's what you have to do

David in his spot

David selected a fairly level spot on the rocks with great views - still can't see his face. Well, ok, guess I'm to blame for that.  

Anyway, while I was close to finishing my painting in my spot I saw someone come down the hill towards me and they said "Hi Cecilia".  I'm embarrassed to admit I wasn't sure who it was at first, although the tell "tail" should've been my first clue.

Robin & Hamilton

Yes, another surprise this morning, it was Robin &  Hamilton.  While Robin wasn't able to join in the painting, she decided to take a ride down and say Hi.  It was really good to see her and we had a fun time chatting.  We also made plans to see Lisa's demo at El Valle this week.  And she took a pic of me in my spot.

Cecilia (Me) in her (my) spot

Yup, eyes shut, that's what happens when you don't have a 2 to smile on 😊.

(Front) Robin, Hamilton -- (Back) Mike

As you can see from the above picture, we were just waiting on one more painting to complete the gallery.  Certainly was an easy fit this week with so few of us.

Ok, before the final photo -- what I learned about beards and ladies, this is SOOOOOO unfair.  All the guys in the group probably know this already.  So here it is as told to me by both Mike & David -- It HIDES Jowls!!  So unfair! I told them that and they both just laughed.

Well, here we go, the happy and mostly jowl"less" group.  This time, I did smile on 2 as did everyone else, even Hamilton!

Robin, Hamilton, David, Me, Mike & it looks like my backpack

 I really want to thank Mike, David & Robin for showing up.  It would've been awfully lonely without them!

Cecilia