Plein Air Tuesday- 9/5/23 - End Of Verde Valley School Rd

 

Ruth Waddell's home
Sculptures by John Waddell

Before I get started with next week and telling you about this past week's outing, I'd like to share something with you which will explain the above photo.

Back in September of 2021, thanks to Ed, we were presented with the opportunity to paint in the sculpture gardens of Ruth Waddell’s home.  The sculptures were all made by her husband, John Waddell and for some of them she was even the model. Those of us who were able to take advantage of this great opportunity experienced a wonderful morning painting and sketching throughout the vast area Ruth called her garden.   I learned on Tuesday that Ruth passed away at the age of 97 on August 24th of this year.  I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet her, she was a very sweet, kind and thoughtful person.  If you key in her name in a search engine you’ll learn more about Ruth and her life with John.  

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Ok, so we all decided to do a Day 2, or at least those of us who are available.  That  means we'll be at the same location at the End of Verde Valley School Road at 8:15 on 9/12/23.  Directions are on the right.

Now for this past week.  I arrived Tuesday morning to find Denise already there and waiting patiently in her car in the parking lot.

Denise "buckling up"

The buckling up refers to her backpack, just in case you were wondering .  We were quickly joined by Betty & Bob.

Bob 

Betty

And, right after that, Mike pulled in.

Mike

Just FYI, I did see him take a sip of his coffee before he exited the vehicle!

As we were getting ready to walk on down to the creek, this woman showed up with her very LARGE and also very WET dog.  She was smiling here and so was the pup -- wonder how she felt after he shook all over the inside of her car.

Ok, back to getting ready to head down to the creek -- but 2 more artists showed up.

Suzie waving and Sophie pulling stuff out of the truck

Ok, so now we headed down for real.  When we reached the end of the road I discovered that they've reinforced the fencing there.  Now there is a very defined entry point as that's the only place where they don't have thick wire surrounding logs for a fence.  Ok, they're getting a little finicky, I guess people were taking advantage and actually driving down that part.  I didn't take a picture so you'll just have to take my word for it.

Since the area closest to the creek has changed quite a bit due to the flooding we had there a couple of months ago, everyone felt a need to explore it.  Of course, they would've anyway as that's what artists do, even if they might gravitate to the same spot they usually pick 😊.

(L to R) Chair in the water, Mike, Denise, Bob

When I first saw that chair I thought it was LeAnne, but on closer inspection I found that I wasn't even close.  First of all, it wasn't a pink chair, but a pink towel.  Secondly, the woman who owned the chair was in a bathing suit in the water not standing on the sidelines painting.  Didn't get her name, she said she was also an artist but liked to do abstract paintings in acrylic and didn't do plein air.

Bob continued on to some unknown spot, I think he saw all those trees and thought "Aha!  SHADE."

Bob off to a shady spot

Sophie & Suzie wandered around to spots unknown although I think they were right nearby.  My problem with spots on days when I do oil is I miss them -- sorry folks!

Sophie, Suzie

Betty & Denise both debated about painting the water, the lady or the reflections.  However, they both found other spots.

Betty, the acrylic lady, Denise

Check out the reflection - WOW

Mike found his spot in the shade, of course, under a tree.  Also alongside of other tree debris.  But it was a spot with a great view.

Mike in his spot and Sophie in the background

Well, I knew she'd be showing up before long and she did -- timestamp 8:26.  Not bad since start time was 8:15.  Here's Nita!

Nita

Ok, I just found a picture, not sure what my intent was at the time but it actually has 2 people in their spots.  You will have to take a real good look at the photo to see them both.

(Bottom L to Upper Right) Suzie, Sophie in her spot

I had to go back and look at other photos to see who had the white socks on with the folded over hem on the shorts.  It was definitely Suzie.  As proof I just found this other photo.

Suzie (yawning I think or maybe just calling out to Sophie)

I looked up to see that Bob was already packed up and heading toward me.  That was when I realized that Betty and Denise had their spots up in front of me.  I was so busy looking up higher at Cathedral that I hadn't noticed them until then which really wasn't too observant on my part.

(L to R) Betty, Bob, Denise and way in the back far right, some hiker

Oh, it turns out our Timestamp Artist, Nita, picked a spot right next to Mike.

Nita, Mike

Here's a neat photo that puts a little perspective on spot locations.  Bob is packed up at this point and watching as well as Suzie.  But in the background you can see Sophie and Mike.  Everyone well hidden in the shade of the trees.

Bob (orange hat), Mike way in back, Sophie diagonal to Bob in black and hiding behind the tree is Suzie

Well, here is where we say goodbye to Sophie and Suzie for the day.  Never did get to see their paintings.

Sophie, Suzie (in front)

Shortly after that we all packed our stuff up and went to set up our gallery.  We did a lot of moving stuff around.  Just as we thought things were all set someone said "Oh look! Way out there walking towards us, there's a lady.  I think she's one of US."  Well, they were right, there was someone and she most definitely is one of us.  It was LeAnne, so she was there after all even thought that wasn't her chair.

Here she comes:

LeAnne

I have to ask her if she had a timer set, because she arrived just in time.  We thought that maybe she got there earlier than everyone but it turns out that wasn't the case.  She said she was late.  Well, she managed to do a great painting in an even shorter amount of time anyway.

So,  the same way she magically appeared, she magically found a spot for her painting and we didn't even have to do any shuffling -- the girl is good!

Ok, now remember all the deliberating that went on about picking spots and how we all went to very different areas.  Hmmmm!

Ok, next week I need to try a different scene.  

Before I get to the final photo I have to tell you about yet another honor that has been given to Christine Debrosky.  Here is info about a new gallery in Phoenix that a painting of hers is in.  So if you're down that way, you may want to stop in.  This is an excerpt from her Newsletter which includes a photo of her painting.

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"Did you know that there is a brand new gallery in Phoenix?

This painting was selected for an inaugural juried group exhibition " Art On the Wild Side",Arizona artists celebrate the natural world at the Wild Side Gallery at the Phoenix zoo. It will be up from September 8 to January 28th, and I am tickled to be included."

December Hot Spot

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We did do quite a bit of chatting while in the gallery mode but eventually we lined up and managed to smile on 2.

Mike, Me, Denise, Betty, LeAnne, Nita, Bob

Ok all, that's it for this week.  Hope to see you next!

Cecilia