On the way to Rainbow Bridge - Lake Powell

Here are some pictures taken on my boat tour to the Rainbow Bridge (a large sandstone arch) on Lake Powell. This was my last day in this area of Arizona and I'm so glad I spent it on the water. I look forward to capturing the spirit of this incredible area in paint!

The colours were delicate and soft in the early morning light and created a special beauty around every turn. The strong sandstone formations were a wonderful contrast creating imagery from another world.

Castle Rock, Lake Powell

This picture was taken quite a distance from the Rainbow Bridge. The snow capped mountain in the background added to the incredible beauty of this area.

It's hard to tell from these photos but the Rainbow Bridge spans more than 270 feet at the base and is 290 feet high, and is the world's largest natural bridge. The arch has been carved after years of water rushing through below from Navajo Mountain as it makes its way to the Colorado River. 

I do love to discover the natural beauty of this incredible world of ours!!

I'm off now to spend some quality time with my daughter and family in the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario where it is apple blossom time!! Photos to follow soon~

The Antelope Canyon Adventure

As I said in my earlier posts, I had no idea what to expect from this part of Arizona. I only knew about the Antelope Canyon where I could walk through sandstone crevices. I was really looking forward to seeing this but I had no idea this area could also be seen from the water. Here are a few pictures showing this unique view.

Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell

Around every turn there was such beauty. This man made lake was such a surprise to discover and then to see such amazing sights...what a bonus!!!

The red rock is actually created by the rusting iron in the sandstone. The white area of the rock shows the high water mark. Kind of like a bathtub ring! 

Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell

As you can see the rock formations are so interesting and the colours very beautiful. I look forward to returning there again to explore more and to try to capture it in paint.

The next day I went to the inland portion of the Antelope Canyon and this is what I saw.

Antelope Canyon

I was transported back in time and felt at one with the earth. What a magical place this is to discover. I am so excited to try to capture this in paint. My hope is that I can do it justice and convey the majestic nuances I felt.

My next post will be about my continuing adventure further along Lake Powell as I head toward the Rainbow Bridge.

My Adventure Continues

Here are a few watercolour sketches I've completed on my latest adventure. The first is actually on my hotel property but was a good subject to test my drawing skills. 

Sunlit Urn

watercolour sketch

These next two sketches were done on location at Lake Powell. The light there is elusive and was a great challenge to capture on paper. I will definitely return one day.

Castle Rock, Lake Powell

watercolour sketch

Distant Shore, Lake Powell

watercolour sketch

 This last sketch is from my visit to the Antelope Canyon. I have more to say about that amazing day and will post more photos soon. It was an experience I will never forget.

Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona

watercolour sketch

I look forward to returning to my studio where these small sketches will be transformed into larger pieces. What an amazing experience this has been!!

I was so inspired this trip in more ways I could ever have imagined. It is truly a gift we've been given each day to simply "live" but unfortunately we don't always see it that way. Now that I truly understand the meaning of "living in the moment" I will not let a second pass by without being grateful and appreciate all I have been given. This is also my hope for you.

My Surprise Adventure

As I was making my way to Page Arizona I entered Utah. I thought it best to stop at tourist information and ask for directions. Actually, I asked which would be the most picturesque route to take. The attendant recommended I take the Zion National Park route. Am I glad she did!!

Zion National Park

It was the most beautiful drive and as I turned each corner, the view was more spectacular than the last.

Zion National Park

I had no idea this part of the world even existed!! What was supposed to be a 4 hour drive took me 7 hours!! I took about 500 pictures that day!

As I arrived at my hotel at Lake Powell it was already dark so I had no idea what I would be waking to. Here is the first thing I saw.

Castle Rock, Lake Powell

As you can see this is a painter's paradise. I will have to return and spend more time exploring this area. On my last night there I was treated to a glorious sunset. Here is a sketch I did of that beautiful moment.

Lake Powell Sunset 

watercolour sketch

My next post will be about my discoveries of Lake Powell and the Antelope Canyon. 

My Celebration Tour

I have been lucky to escape some of our long cold snowy winter and have made my way to the sunny south. I met some friends and experienced the Grand Canyon for the first time. We were up early for the sunrise which was wonderful. It's hard to believe how truly beautiful this magnificent part of the world is!

The next morning we were to have a helicopter tour over the canyon but had to postpone due to weather. There was a blizzard!! I guess the snow followed us here!!

Thankfully we were able to go the next morning. Now that is the best way to see this amazing sight!

We then went on to Las Vegas where we saw Shania Twain in concert. It was a great show and wonderful to be able to share this time with such good friends.

This trip was actually a celebration tour in honour of my making it through chemotherapy. Mid way through my treatment I was talking with my friends and said how I would love to see the Grand Canyon. When we discovered none of us had been there we figured it was meant to be.

I am so excited to be back into this game of life!! I have learned a lot and quite honestly would never have fully understood what it meant to live in the moment if not for cancer and for that I will be forever grateful.

My friends have left back to the snowy north and I have decided to stay and explore more of the area. I rented a car and headed to Lake Powell near Page Arizona. I was looking forward to exploring the Antelope Canyon but I had no idea what I would see on my way there. Wow was I in for a surprise!

My next post will be about this part of my great cancer free victory adventure!

Blue Skies and Lupines

I have been happily painting away in my studio today dreaming of warm Spring days ahead. Actually, it has been a beautiful day here and I can almost see the snowbanks melt away. Yippeee!!

Blues Skies and Lupines

acrylic on canvas

I still have a little left to do on this painting but am now headed out for a walk to enjoy the last moments of sunlight. 

Have a wonderful Easter weekend everyone!!

Dreaming of Tuscany

I have been going through my photos and came across one of beautiful Tuscany. The rolling hills of green and gold captivated me and I knew I would have to paint it. Here is an acrylic sketch I have been working on. It is a good start for inspiration for when I do the larger studio piece.

"Tuscan Hills" 

acrylic on linen

Italy is filled with many incredible sights, one more beautiful than the last. It just doesn't seem fair that a country so small should have so many incredible places to explore!! I am hoping to return there in September to discover more of her beauty.

This winter has been particularly long but the snowbanks are slowly melting and the birds will soon return. Spring is in the air....or at least it is in my studio!! 

~ Poetic Reflections ~

Well, it has been a long and very white winter here in Canada and that's a good thing...it means more studio time!

I have been happily painting away working from photos I took when on my last wonderful artistic journey. I can't believe it's been almost a year since I was exploring my way around the Tuscan hillside and the Greek island of Rhodes. Sifting through the more than 5000 photographs has been a joy and brings me back to that particular moment in time. 

In the coming days I will be sharing with you the paintings I've created over the winter and a little story about them too. Enjoy ~

~ Poetic Reflections ~

I'd just returned from a wonderful day of exploring the island of Simi and was walking along Rhodes Old Town harbour. The sun was low in the sky washing a brilliant glowing light all around me. The stone wall fortress on one side, the harbour on the other. Beautiful doesn't begin to describe.

People were busily rushing their way along seeming not to notice what was all around them. Can't they see this beautiful light? This incredible feeling of calm that surrounds us all?

"Poetic Reflections"

22" x 30"

watercolour

I stopped to absorb this magical moment when I looked deep into the watery depths and this is what I saw. I was struck by the beautiful abstract reflections. The ever changing shapes captivated me, so fluid and alive. I knew I would have to paint them.

My goal was to capture this liquid energy of calm. As I was painting Poetic Reflections I was transported back to that magical place in time. I was standing there once again mesmerized by the ever changing patterns filled with the same calmness I felt when I first discovered this perfect moment.

~ There are so many wonders that surround us each and every day. All we need to do is see and feel with an open heart and mind ~