Plein Air Tuesday - 12/12/23 - Secret Slick Rock Trail - Day 2

 Suzie and I arrived just as Carolyn, Tecla & Kristen also pulled in, it was 8:50 and in case you were wondering -- COLD.  Also, in the picture above there is something that could almost look like a covered trash container - it's NOT, it's quite far away and is what most of us thought is possibly a water tank.

Suzie

Carolyn, Kristen (both bundled up)

Kristen, Tecla (also bundled)

So, the real question was -- would we be able to take our hands out of our pockets and gloves off long enough to actually paint.  Well, with luck it'll warm up some, but you can be assured that everyone was opting for a spot in the sun.

In fact, I was informed by Tecla that they would be painting just about right where they were.

Nori came along, although her plans were to get there even earlier, but she was still ahead of the meet up time.

Nori - thinking about views from the "edge"

So, I learned something on this day.  While this wasn't the spot that Nori picked, her spot  wasn't  far from there and was truly a bit more on the actual edge of things.  So, what I learned is that Nori was a rock climber -- as in MAJOR rocks, like El Capitan (THE major rock).   For those of you who don't know about El Capitan, here is a link with very interesting info https://www.yosemite.com/alex-honnold-and-climbing-el-capitan/

Needless to say, she has no fear of "painting on the edge", just second nature for her.

Betty arrived next with Bob and they started wandering around trying to decide on a spot.

Betty

Well, Bob, spent a bit of time in the beginning walking to and fro.

Bob walking To

Bob walking Fro 

And, just as I was going to start looking for a spot, LeAnne pulled in - here she is all smiles and a wave just for you!

LeAnne

I went off to the other side of the road not far from where I was last week, so I left everyone behind.  That meant when I came back when I was done, I found a bunch of artists happily situated in their spots in that big open area near where we parked.  I saw this one person, and was confused at first about who it could be.  I soon found out though, it was Kristine a New Girl who found us through Nori.

Kristine the "New Girl"

Will you check out her setup - oh, those beautiful colors are her brand new pastels, don't you just love them!  But, look at the TABLE, - hey Mike, her table's bigger than yours 😊.  

Here's a view of 3 of the artists in their spots.

(L to R) Carolyn, Nori, LeAnne

Perhaps a closer view of Nori and LeAnne just  to verify it's them -- although LeAnne's pink chair is something of a tell.

(L to R) Nori, LeAnne

At the time of this pic, Nori was already packing up -- but just take a look at her and then the "edge" 🙄

Here's the spot Bob finally decided on -- not exactly where he was toing and froing (ok, I know they're not real words even the auto spell feature is telling me that).

(L to R) Bob, Bob's jacket

So, looks like Bob took a page out of Sue's book (you remember her, she left us for southern AZ), find a branch, hang an article of clothing on it -- next thing he'll be barefoot and sitting on a rock wiggling his toes as he paints -- nothing like getting comfy.

I didn't find Tecla's spot, but I did see Kristen and yet one more person (now who could that possibly be?).    Oops, I almost forgot, right near Bob was Betty, see.

Betty in her spot

Kristen in her spot on a narrow trail

And, just beyond Kristen on that narrow trail was the "other person".

Nita in her spot

Yes, it was Nita -- will you just look at the way she was squatting down and painting.  She obviously couldn't find a rock to sit on there as she normally does.  But, seriously, have you ever seen ANYONE position themselves like that to paint.  Can you believe how limber she is too, ok everyone, this is a test.  Go ahead and try and do what Nita's doing, I'll wait ...

While we waited for everyone to bring over their paintings so we could build the gallery.  Kristen came over very excitedly with her arms spread wide and turned around to face the magnificent view.  She exclaimed -- what do you do, how can you possibly simplify -- just look at it!!  Yes, that is pretty much how we all felt, how can you possibly decide what to leave out.  Well, kudos to all of us who tried, it wasn't easy but what a beautiful location and one we will definitely be keeping on our list.  Hey, so what if we feel compelled to try and paint it "all"!!  Heck, it makes for a great looking painting in The Gallery.

Because of the many participants - we have our Gallery in 2.  Here's 1

and Here's 2

Ok, so there are a few duplicates in there, but I found if I combined them, they all became too small and I wanted you to be able to see them!

Something funny also happened on the way to all of us smiling on 2 -- Nori mysteriously appeared (she had to leave early) -- Must have something to do with the "Secret Wilderness Area" we were in.  Too bad we can't see her face though.

(L to R  - Back Row) Bob 😊
(L to R - Middle Row) Betty, Carolyn, Tecla, Nita, Suzie, Kristen, Kristine (New Girl), LeAnne

(L to R - Front Row) Me, Nori

Ok, anyone see a potential confusing problem here??  Now in the group although not all here at the moment, we have Christine, Chris, Kristine & Kristen.  Nah, we won't get confused.

Hope you all have a good week!!

Cecilia

Plein Air Tuesday - 12/5/23 - Secret Slick Rock Trail - Day 1

 That's just one of the many spectacular views there are on this trail and the reason why we headed out there with thanks to Chris & Pam who told us about it!

(L to R) Suzie, Suzette, Nori

Suzette, Suzie & I arrived just behind Nori - we actually followed her on down the road - glad she paid attention to my directions because I forgot to check them out before we left.  That meant I didn't know how long I needed to drive down Chavez Ranch Road to get there as there are a few pull offs before our end destination, which by the way is at the end of the road where you'll see a fence.

Oh, before I forget - see how warmly they're all dressed - remember that for later!

There were a few different ways to go from where we parked and we did arrive about 12 minutes early.  So, I decided to wander down the trail to see just where it  that scene Chris had sent me was.  Well, it was a bit further down the trail then I realized, although an easy walk - just took a little longer than I expected.  So, that meant that I didn't get back to the parking area to catch everyone.

But, as we first started out and really not too far from the parking area we found an artist who was set up and painting.

Pat

Turned out to be Pat and later when talking with her I learned that she really only arrived about 2 or 3 minutes before us.  But, we had spent a little time in the parking area before we headed out then she did.

I didn't take a lot of pics on the way down the trail because, even though it wasn't a big climb or descent, the path was rocky and you had to watch your step. So, I walked with my head down a lot and would just stop occasionally to look up.

Oh, another little tidbit of info.  In looking up this trail I discovered that the reason why it's named "Secret" is because it's part of the Secret Wilderness Area in the Coconino National Forest - well that explained the name of a trail that isn't quite so "secret".

And, another little piece of info - that rock that Pat has behind her is actually Cathedral Rock, just from an angle we're not used to seeing it from.  However, when you get to the "Slick Rock" part of the trail, you do see a more familiar view, see

Ok, back to the people -- after hiking out there, I left my backpack with Suzie and headed back to see who else may have shown up.

The first person I encountered was Lisa and she informed me that there were others already there too.

Lisa

Lisa, on her way

and there she goes as I continued back to the parking area, where I met up with a few other merry wanderers.

(L to R) Kristen, Carolyn, Tecla

Now, at this point I'm not sure if all the stuff Kristen was carrying was hers or perhaps there's a piece or two of Carolyn's many things she carries.  In any event, I see smiles!

Oh look, there was someone else trailing behind them.

(L to R) Bob, Kristen, Carolyn

It was Bob and actually he really was in the first picture with Tecla, but it's not real obvious as you have to look over Kristen's shoulder.  Now, keep in mind I still haven't made it back to the parking area yet, but just about to the car when look who I see.

Nita - timestamp 9:09

Well, how about that 9:09 AND she had already went down another trail that she decided she would paint at and had walked back to the parking area -- guess she was there right at 9, or maybe even earlier 😮

Now, finally on my way BACK to where I left my stuff with Suzie I found Bob in his spot.

Bob

Nita wandering over to see Carolyn and Kristen who appeared to have picked spots.

(L to R) Nita, Carolyn, Kristen

Back at the trails end I found Suzette in her spot and she was located just over from Lisa & Nori in their spots -- they all went over to the "edge"

Suzette

Oh, you need to see Suzette's view

(L to R) Suzette's View - Cathedral Rock, Suzette

(L to R) Lisa, Nori

Then with all the walking back and forth I did, before I knew it, it was gallery time!  So, back to the parking area where I discovered some painters I didn't know were there.

(L to R) Betty, Bob, Pat

Yes, Betty was there painting in some unknown spot and look at who else was there:

(L to R) Pat, Mike, Suzie

That's right, Mike was also there -- probably somewhere in the shade under a tree with great views.  In case you were wondering, it took some research of my photos to determine who that third person was (Suzie).  As for the shadows, that's a different story.  The only one I'm sure of is me because I'm taking the picture.  I think it's possible the other one is Tecla, you'll have to look at the group photo to see - the hat pretty much being the only identifying characteristic - pretty hat too!

There were so many of us, which means there were a LOT of paintings.  So building the gallery took a bit of effort.  Not to mention the fact that everyone kept trying to balance things on top of  Suzie's oil painting. This meant that they would frequently fall over on it.  Of course, part of the that problem was the breeze that picked up which wound up requiring a "hand assist" for Nori's painting on the end.  You'll see what I mean as there are real legs and a hand (not painted) on the far right.

Wow, what a great gallery of paintings that is -- guess we sort of create a "pop-up gallery" (you know, like pop-up restaurants) every Plein Air Tuesday.  Speaking of which, you'll have to come back next week to see who  participates in that one, same time, same place.  But before I head off, let's see who was all there to smile on 2.

(Front Row L to R) Nori, Me
(Next Row Squiggled L to R)
Tecla, Kristen, Pat, Suzette, Lisa, Nita, Suzie, Betty, Bob, Carolyn, Mike

Hope you were able to figure that "Next Row" out.  But I wasn't sure how to call it since it looked like we had row straddlers.  Also, do you remember what I told you to remember for later - ok, don't freak out, it's not a real test and no penalty if you fail.  It was the attire of everyone when we got there and how there was some stripping that went on by the time the group photo was taken.  Yes, it did get warm in the sun and was a beautiful morning!

That's all for this week!

Cecilia