Thursday, August 14, 2025

Plein Air Tuesday - 8/12/25 - Swimming Hole near Southwestern Academy

 


A new location for us - wow, what a treat!  Ed found this location, and we were all anxious to check it out.  Several of us, did manage to rumble our way down the dirt road to the designated parking area.

I arrived first, but following right behind me was Ed.


Ed

He thought that it was just going to be the 2 of us, but I knew it was early and I was pretty sure Mike and Nita would be joining us.  Not long after I mentioned that - the red Jeep pulled in.

Mike and his Jeep

Then shock of all shocks, the very next person to pull in WAS Nita! -- Whoa, this might just be a first.

Nita

She jumped out and promptly showed me her phone with the time.

Timestamp Nita - 7:29

Unfortunately, her screen went blank before I got the pic, but the timestamp on my photo says 7:29:59 am
She was actually EARLY -- very impressive!

Well, Nita wasn't the last to show up -- we had another happy artist join us.

Nori

Oh, speaking of Nori and before I forget, I need to let you all know about an event where she will have paintings exhibited.


It's a First Friday Exhibition, this gallery is actually located at the Sedona Methodist Church that's located on 179.  The roundabout where you turn is Indian Cliffs. Park at the top in the lot that's behind the Church -- you NAWS people will know it as the place where we used to have our meetings.  It's in the building that's right across from the hall.

While I'm at it, I should also let you know that Ed's son, who is also an artist, will be the featured artist at SAC (Sedona Arts Center) starting the same First Friday I think - we mi- 9/5.  His son is actually from out of Santa Fe and has paintings in galleries there.

Ok, back to our stuff.

So, that's not the end of artist arrivals.  Kirsten pulled up next.

Kirsten

Then, Jim the Hiker

Jim the Hiker

and needless to say, he brought Dona the artist!

Dona

Well, look at that, we almost filled the parking lot, although there were still a few spaces left.

We let Ed lead the way as there are multiple narrow paths that meander on down to the creek.

Ed on the red rocks, Kirsten following

While I was still trying to decide on a spot, I saw Jim in the middle of the Creek -- he sure gets around.

Jim waving

It was right around this point that I discovered what it was that I forgot.  I had changed packs to go with something lighter since I knew there were would be a lot of river rock wash navigating.  I knew it seemed like maybe I didn't get everything but did double check before I left the house.  Well, turns out what I forgot was to bring any type of canvas -- didn't even have a pad of paper.  But, I did bring my trusty little Guerrilla oil paint set 😏 - a lot of good that was going to do.  

Nita did come to the rescue though, she offered me some watercolor paper - I took a 1/4 of a 1/4 sheet.  It's a good thing that's all I took.  With it not being firm enough to really hang out in the Guerrilla while I tried to paint on it, it wound up being in my hand, along with the paper towels I had to wipe my brushes with.  So, you can just imagine the award winning painting I did in this scenario.    But, at least I got to paint.

Speaking of Nita - this was just after she graciously gave me that paper -- thank you Nita!!!!

Nita

Well, she scrambled around and under trees to get to her spot.

Nita

Ed picked a spot balancing on some rocks in the creek.

Back is Jim, Ed on the rock

Kirsten grabbed water from the creek

A group of 3 artists liked this nice shady spot.

(L to R) Dona, Jim, Mike, Nori

My spot was lonely, however, I did have ants that kept trying to keep me company.


Just when the sun was starting to really make it's presence known, it was time to wrap things up and head back to the cars where we were able to build a gallery along some rocks in front of the trail entrance.





Then, we had to perform another trick.  You see, not only did I forget a canvas or paper, I also forgot my phone holder for my tripod.  Oh dear, what do we do for a photo.  Well, it took some maneuvering and while Jim did double duty of taking a picture and getting in the photo.  It all worked out and we all laughed and smiled on 2.

(L to R) Kirsten, Dona, Nita, Mike, Nori, Ed, Me
Front Row - Jim

What a fun looking group -- they certainly make me smile!  Till next time!

Cecilia