I was one of 30 watercolor artists from the Utah Watercolor Society who were invited to participate in the first annual Arts and the Park Light on the Reef at Capitol Reef National Park.
The first day and first painting was a short afternoon hike up Capitol Gorge.
The second day, second painting was a short hike up Sunrise Point off of the Gooseneck Road. Dave and I found a good spot and then he took off to explore and take a hike in the National Park.
There were two kinds of gnats, the ones that randomly fly into your eyeballs and die and the ones that bite. Both kinds were out in force.
After a morning of gnats and painting, it was nice to have the help of a pack horse.
Third day, third painting was no hike, painting one hop skip and jump from the van but an early start to catch the light.
This is how I looked when I met the car load of ladies from China and the bus load of people from France and the people from Germany and the Netherlands and several random bikers.
After three days of painting, the watercolors were framed. Morning light at Navaho Dome was framed thanks to Ray Conrad, one of the artists showing at Gallery 42 in Torrey. He took a screw out of one of his paintings to give to me so I could attach the wire to the back of my frame. The kit was missing one screw. (Note to self, next time bring extra framing hardware.)
With so many amazing artists, I was thrilled that the painting received the blue ribbon. A big thanks to the Entrada Institute, Capitol Reef National Park, Robber’s Roost and Utah Watercolor Society who made this weekend so special for all.
Utah Watercolor Society, Entrada Institute, Capitol Reef National Park, Robber’s Roost, and Torrey, Utah