Telluride Plein Air ~ Homeward through Silverton & Bryce Canyon

Starting homeward day, a bitter sweet air floats in the breeze today. We start on our trip home, leaving my beloved T-ride. Yet our travels in the westerly direction hold adventures too. So, off we go.

Because I'd left my favorite and best gortex coat in the classroom in Ouray ... we were leaving via Ouray. But as you can see from the sketch, going over the Red Mountain Pass is thrilling! Not only the colors of mineralized landscape, waterfalls and
mining remnants, but the views too as we head to Silverton. Touring the streets there provided smiles at the charming ole' town and the bustle of the summer months. After lunching in Durango, we start into desert landscape. Long stretches of emptiness, broken with Indian Reservations, unusual rock formations and a sand-pelting
wind. Our attempt to stop at the Four Corners ($8 per person entry fee) was discouraged by that wind, 100 degree temperatures and a very long line to just stand in the four different states at once. We overnight-ed in the eerie town of Page.

Next day we reach Bryce Canyon mid-day. Rock shapes become magical and color drenched! We locate and check into our KOA Campground 20 minutes from Bryce, where we'd reserved a tiny cabin. Charming and very, very small, the cabin also had no AC nor cross ventilation. Cody was suffering and, I have to admit, we were too in the 100 degree, sun-drenched temps. So we launch off to find a nearby (well, we got lost so it wasn't so near) reservoir for a dunk! As the sun began to set we head back to the Bryce Canyon Park for the sunset. Absolutely magnificent! ABSOLUTELY!!! Even Roland said it brought tears to his eyes - the unimaginable beauty! We are impressed!!! We dinner-ed at a restaurant where the waiter was the chef and old, found relics were all over the wall - - a taste of local color for sure!!

Next day we are up early for the magnificent Bryce Canyon sunrise (wow! again) and return to our lil' cabin. As the heat rises, we find we are so uncomfortable we make a decision to leave and seek a cooler climate. I'd researched the Highway 12, headed north and a tad east and we found it fascinating. Such diverse country - - first we travel across colorful, solid rock undulations that roll together like "silly puddy" (remember Silly Puddy?), then after lovely, green-stretching agriculture fields we begin to climb. I'm in heaven - - high country with groves of my Aspen friends and free range cattle!! Gradually we curve down into a wide valley of horses and lush fields - - the quiet town of Torrey. We find an air-conditioned hotel with this bucolic view out our back window and picturesque sandstone ridges around us. We'd "arrived" - - so much for us ever being desert rats!!

The double page spread exemplifies one of my very favorite journaling exercises: linking together two images across the center, spiral binding of the journal. And this illustration gives you a sneak preview into our last rubbing shoulders with the monumental red rock formations of Utah, Capitol Reef. Another mesmerizing spot amongst Mother Nature's gifts.

Telluride Plein Air ~ From Lake to Parade to Class

This journal spread covers a lot of territory in our Colorado Summer. First we attempt a second 4-wheel drive up Tomboy - - and WOW - - even Roland eventually opts to turn around after facing giant lopsided granite rocks in the road. I'm rather relieved and we decide to go to Alta Lakes as an alternative. The terrain is wild, scenic and Cody gets to tip-top in the cooling water (yep, there he is with his red bandana!!). The day leisures away as we meander towards the Telluride MountainVillage with plans for a pizza dinner at the acclaimed "Crazy Elk" pizzeria. We'd forgotten this was the start to Fourth of July Weekend and parking is challenging. But the pizza was worth it and our evening ends gently back in town.

The big Fourth of July Parade is THE event in Telluride.

Hether has placed chairs in good spots along the main street and get all nested in as the crowds gather. First the town is buzzed by airplanes and hang gliders over main street!! The audience is nearly a fascinating as the parade: children in outrageous outfits, outlandish parade floats as well as every club in T-ride represented, including the Bearnaise Mountain Dog Club. T'was hilariously entertaining!! Then the entire town sludges-en-mass down to the Town Park for the Bar-B-Q. After eating til

ready to bust and chattering with ole' friends, I wanted to stay for the kids activities. The "Balloon Toss" was so fun but the one I really wanted to see was the "Kids Fish Catch" where kids hand catch the live fish and then release them. But t'was way later in the afternoon so I wandered back home. My stomach couldn't believe my bubbly hostess had organized a pot luck for evening and I was certain I'd pop (but didn't, in case you were worried). A day full of fond memories and being so alive in such a magnificent place!

I'd arranged to teach a Plein Air Class in Ouray at the Weehawken Creative Arts Center. We sail off early morn from T-ride to get to Ouray in time to set up. The discreet building sits along the Uncompahgre River, before you get into town. A lovey, spacious room is where my students and I collect and I take them over some plein air basics and examples. Then we move outside for a quick demo. I find the view looking into town tarnished with smoke (from New Mexico fires), and the river a milky grey from some kind of run-off. But finally, I find a charming little mining shed perched on the side of the ridge gazing northward. Ah-ha - - the subject for my demo (and here's the finished piece upon which I worked after arriving back home in Oregon). Then students set up and begin painting their chosen subjects and I pop around helping, making suggestions. The casual critique is held inside and it's impressive what everyone's accomplished. I feel like I'd like to return to teach another class should the situation present itself.

I especially love this grouping of images on my journal page. Well, I'm sure it's the sweet memories but also, I was pleased how combining several photos of the Fourth of July Parade came out. I got to savor the parts of the raucous gathering that I especially loved! Oh ... do I LOVE my journal!!!

Telluride Plein Air ~ Quick Draw & ArtWalk

Well, I have been missing. Apologies ... I'm committing to post at least twice weekly 'til current. So here goes ... back to the Telluride Road Trip and a week's drinking in the Plein Air Event there (Note this was July 2, 2013!)!
THIS was one of my favorite days of our trip! After a quiet morn, Roland and I plan to head into town to meet Hether and hubby to watch the big "Quick Draw" Event. This is where artists have their surface (be it watercolor paper, sandpapered surface or canvas) stamped with a particular recognizable mark and then, they have a specific allotted time to go out on site using that specific substrate, paint the painting, and come back with the piece all framed, ready for sale. This event was given ninety (yes, 90) minutes.

The "Quick Draw" artists were scattered everywhere through out town. Some in the middle turning lane of the main road, some in front of the courthouse, some in alleys and others off on-site. I observed they all worked simple and small. The woman I depicted here in my journal was my favorite. And what I noticed was that her canvas was cradled right inside the back of the black frame she would be using. All she had to do was flip the painting and set it in place for the presentation! As the end of the 90 minute time period came to an end artists began gathering, placing their finished pieces on easels for the jurying and award ceremony. Some of the pieces were just amazing - - most were of the impressionist style, and some even sold right there on the spot. But whew ~
what a workout for the artists!!

An aside on participating in plein air events: from one of the well versed plein air painters in Telluride. The perspective that the event in Tellluride was NOT planned with artists on the decision making committee was evident. And not a good thing. Seems that as a participating artist in the event you would spend a lot of your "off" time (when you are not out painting on site) finishing up paintings, framing and just plain recovering from the outdoor exposure. But what the Telluride

event planners were doing was adding more and more evening fundraiser events that artists had to attend - taking away that valuable "down" time artists needed. Good to know for us considering doing a plein air event!!

Evening time continued with the art theme - with Telluride's monthly Artwalk. One show I particularly wanted to see was at the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art. They were showing pieces from Burnie Fuchs, a famous illustrator ~ and I wasn't disappointed. FASCINATING mixed media - - even his pencil sketches had such vitality. So inspiring! We wandered the full street hitting the Oh-be-joyful Gallery (who's owner does huge plein air gorgeous pieces) and another watercolor artist, David Brankley, who does terrific work, were stand-out for me. So you see, I had to save those images and contacts here.

The final image on this open page journal spread is of course, dinner. We meandered the street, mainly looking for light food without a mile long line (I'm so spoiled from our rural restaurants here in Southern Oregon - well, maybe not Ashland). And we needed a place where we could keep Cody nearby. The Telluride Bistro furnished all of that. A yummy salad, quick friendly service and an open wrought-iron fence where Cody could get scratches from us (and maybe some treats too). An end to a full and fulfilling day!

Telluride Plein Air ~ A Birthday and a Tomboy Road Trip

This June 30, 2013 on our Telluride trip was mostly a delight. Up early with the bug to go do some of my very own plein air painting. T'wasn't all from enthusiasm . . . I seemed to be experiencing some lack of flow. Yep, happens to us all apparently. I just was feeling kinda timid, uncertain and fearful about painting - - and YIKES - - I may be teaching a class in just a few days (I will hear in the next few days if my Ouray Plein Air Class fills enough to be a "go".)! So I launch off with my watercolor paper and a mission! The day carries some threat of rain showers so I find a view of the east side hills from the covered

bleacher seats in the Town Park and get to work. My friends, Hether and Chuck (PS - it's Chuck's birthday today) find me and come chatter a bit, letting me know where they will be in town. I get a good start on my small plein air piece and then, I later get it finished. Ok, I'm feelin' a bit more confident and able to paint again [[[sigh]]]!!

Our big plans tonight for Chuck's birthday are to

take them to a special restaurant that Roland has researched, "221 South Oak". We all get dressed and drive over (because Cody, our golden retriever, is more comfortable being in the car than in the basement room) and get a nice table inside. The food was good and we skipped dessert because Hether has made Chuck's favorite homemade Tiramasu and it's waiting at home! T'was rather cute ... once we'd all savored the "delish" dessert, Chuck took straight to the pan. I captured a shot of him and he had to go into my journal, with the restaurant business card angled in the corner. Doesn't he look like a happy guy?!?!?

Next day must have had adventure in the air and Roland surely pursued it. There are several 4-wheel drives leading up into the mountains around Telluride and the first one we take at the south end of town, near the defunct mine, is Tomboy Road leading to Bridal Veil Falls. Now, granted, we have a '03 Subaru and it is a 4-wheel, but it sure creeped me out taking it up those lumpy, rock plagued, angled dirt roads. I'm rather embarrassed to see how un-rugged I am now -  oh well. But we make
it a good way up the road and then, take to our feet for some exercise up the remaining turns to see the falls. We'd tried to stop earlier on the road right

under the mist of the falls but there was a TV team shooting a commercial for Toyota - only in Telluride! From different vistas we could see the falls and then, turn and see all the way back down into town. Just magical stuff - - here in my journal is my aim at capturing both views (on the left, can you see the teeny waterfalls? and on the right, can you make out the tiny Telluride city buildings?). And, on the right of the journal page is this magnificent wild flower I saw as we drove up the twists and turns of the dusty road. Isn't Mother Nature just amazing?

But Roland isn't done - - now he wants to attempt taking the even MORE rugged Imogene Pass Road up the east side of Telluride. Grief!! Ok, I'm trying here to loosen up and feel more of my ole' "Mountain Mommy Legs" and I just close my mouth. This primitive road has giant boulders and then, large, uneven drop offs. And . . . finally, even Roland admits timidity and we search for a place to turn around and head back down. A fresh bagel and hot, fresh brewed cup of coffee at "Baked-in-Tellluride's Bakery" was our consolation. I personally didn't mind . . . and we leisured the evening away, just drinking in the radical beauty of Telluride.

Telluride Plein Air ~ En Route and Arrival

We leave Moab, Utah early for the last leg of our road trip to Telluride, Colorado. The road repair avails us more time to drink in and photo the changing terrain. As we near Colorado, the landscape becomes more arid and we hit pockets of small communities as we climb onto mesas. Once on top the highest mesas, then we weave down into lush green meadows and creek curl curves.

One of the most exciting homes I saw (but wasn't quick enough to photo) was a house carved deep into the undercutting of a red rock ridge so that all I saw was the door to suggest lodging. I imagined the cool, curved walls of the cozy nest behind the wooden door. Creativity comes in so many fascinating forms.

There's effervescence stirring once we get to Norwood . . . I know we are close ... I can see the San Juan Range just beyond this mesa's edge (can you see them in my sketch?). I know several people who choose to live here in this quiet, non-pretentious town, rather than bustling Telluride. And as we stop at the grocery store for a munchie, I experience the warmth and simple-ness of this sweet lifestyle. And that part of me that loves country living aches . . .but I know, there are bigger parts of me that need fed in other ways. Isn't it educational to watch the human personality? realize all these different parts of one's self and try to feed the important ones? Anyway, this sketch was a compilation of images from the Norwood mesa.

Following two motorcyclists into Tellluride, we drink in the liveliness of main street. We stop at the Steaming
Bean for their delicious Chai Tea (remember, last year I swore it was good I only discovered their Chai the day I was leaving?) aiming to slow down, settle in.

Once we find, greet, get settled into my friend's cheery nest and have a quick bite, we decide to take advantage of the free Wednesday Concert up at Mountain Village (up on the ski mountain). It's our Cody's first ride on a gondola, and he fares well except for feeling a bit cramped for space with some playful children sharing the cab. We also discover he's not a fan of those open woven surface stair steps (great for getting

snow off your boots - but not too fun for multi-padded puppy feet). So we detour around on the dirt at the base of the gondola.

A large crowd was already settled onto the grass before the stage and we wiggled in. Ro sampled his first high altitude alcoholic drink (and was silly for the reminder of the evening) and I did a slow and meandering contour drawing of the crowd and clock tower. Often the contour drawing isn't what you'd planned (like this one) but it's offers up a fun way to later take snippets from photos and drop in some personality between the lines of the drawing. I actually love how this ended up looking - and it still has some of the moment's spontaneity!


Up for our first full day in Telluride, we breakfast and head out on foot errands. Roland has a medical situation he needs to check out, so we include the local clinic in our agenda. While sitting outside in the warm mountain air, I start a sketch of what looks like a blossoming onion. I barely get the shape down and an elder gentleman sits across from me - - and soon we are wrapped in conversation. Seems he lived here in Telluride back when the roads, like Society Turn, were just being carved into the mountains. He told me hair-raising tales of some of that work, and how his family had ranched here. Eventually, he and his wife split their year between Texas for the winter, then back to Telluride for the summer. He seemed a content, gentle mountain man. I love the mix of magic that can color one's life on a road trip. And it's just begun!

Back to our cozy room. Roland takes a nap and I get my lil' studio space all set up. I'm glad I've brought my very own favorite lamp and devise space for pens, brushes etc. Ok ... I can stay here now!!

Colorado Reunion ~ Merriment and Alpen Glow

(Note: Just a lil' memo to let you know ... this trip took place the end of September 2012. )

After rising to crisp Colorado blue skies, I found a phone message from my friend. She'd arranged a Brunch at her place for several of my ole acquaintances to converge ... and I'd best be there!! Cool! I have my mornin' Chai Tea and amble over to my friends! There's Anna (who I'd known as Margie, and still can't remember to call her Anna) who's strumming on Hether's newly acquired banjo, Billie (who later arrives after just having flung himself over his bicycle handle bars, bruising himself and the apples he'd brought to contribute) and eventually, my ole' architect (did I tell you I'd had plans of buying property and building a home in Telluride? Well, that's another story ...), George Greenbanks. In the wanderings of George's office I spy this fantastic pen and ink sketch of George and I ask, if he has a small one I could perchance have? Digging in his pocket, he pulls one out and hands it to me. I smile, tears again ... this sketch is of George 'n my dear friend Hether at George's home in the garden.
A flood of memories wells up inside me and I'm between giggling and tearing up. It was a whole lifetime ago, yet still one of my very favorite times that held up so many opportunities to my young life at that time. I'm not unhappy where I am but my curious mind and creative heart wonders what my life would be like had I followed some of those dreams I'd had then ... all the way to fruition. I wonder ...

Mind wandering aside, after nibbling on brunch George and Billie offer us tours of  their nearby homes. I'm jazzed, homes are such holograms for us humans. And these two homes did not disappoint. Meandering our way up to Billie's I was reminded that George is the best town history buff, and we all garnered stories about each house and the people around it too! Where Billie's home had a warm, clean Asian feel with many an artist's thoughtful touches, George's was eclectic, with holdings from every imaginable memory and person. I ached a bit inside, wishing I'd stayed in Telluride, weathered the life there and had a home and life there now. But it was not the time for that future to manifest and so many other dreams have come true. I just had so many opportunities, it's hard to pick which one to follow.

Eventually, our group moved in our different directions and I return to my room to ready for my evening plans with my renewed friendship in Linda. Her business is the care and maintenance of homes for whom Telluride is not a primary residence. With her dedication to work, her Virgo organization and her integrity, Linda's positioned herself well in the small community. She picks me up and I travel deep south of town where I knew the Telluride Mine's tilings ponds to be. Now days the ponds have all been fixed and the homes there are some of the most exclusive ($1 million per lot). I savor the aspen sprinkled grounds while she does her work and soon we are curving back thru town and out the north end. My friend prefers solitude and lives nested out of town. Her cozy two-story home affords her lovely views overlooking the opposite mountains and mesas. She prepares a yummy fresh dinner and as we're talking I'm hopping up and down. The exquisite color play going on across the valley on snow-capped peaks and golden aspen groves is breath-taking. I try to capture it here in my journal peering over the nearby rooftops ... I hope you can gather even just a snippet of the pink, gold and orange alpen glow.

What an amazingly rich day ... I return to town and my quiet bungalow ... with memories and heartfelt friendships dancing in my head ... as I fall asleep.

Colorado Reunion ~ Nesting In and Catching Up

Yipppppppppppppie ~ my first FULL day in beautiful Telluride. Up early to kinda bounce around my new digs (didn't know there was a breakfast served downstairs - silly me, it is a Bed & Breakfast). So now I have a closet of food and there's more for me in the kitchen! I make a combo of my favorite cereal and their fresh fruits 'n berries. Delicious munches as I eat my "breakie" out on my lil sunny deck (had to paint the view from my deck for you!!), drinking in the yellow of the nearby aspens and vicariously romping like the dogs running along the river trail below. My aim is to get out soon and hike up Bear Creek Valley.

I do get off on my hike ... choose this yellow lil' pearl from my quaking aspens to install in my journal. The hike is invigorating with the sweetest smelling air! I feel so alive and energized that I tend to ignore the rain sprinkles. Once back from my hike I hustle to meet a friend to whom I've shipped my paintings that will go in the Tellluride Gallery of Fine Art Show. We lunch at the "Brown Dog" and I trundle back to the room with my big box. My evening involves unpacking the paintings methodically, photoing the positioning so that I can re-pack them to ship back home safely. N-o-o-o-o-w you know how detailed I can be!!

Next day I have learned that to miss the rain showers during my hike, I need to get going earlier. So I'm up, and off. After the same enlivening hike I bip over to my friend Hether's home to visit. A peer artist whom I've not seen in probably near forty years is there and we catch up. Hether is returning the glass bowl to Anna after it had traveled for fourteen years, finally to be here in Telluride when Anna, who now lives in Oregon, is here too! Then, Hether's son (now remember I used to live with Hether and her son was an ornery young pre-teen then) drops by ~ and ~ oh my!! Not only is he a grown man but he's a head taller than me and has broad strong shoulders (and some grey hair too!) I just had to capture his playful spirit and his kind heart clearly visible here as he holds one of his two Chihuahuas ~ such a size contrast!

My evening meal was a joyous reunion. One of my most dear friends in Tellluride had kind of disappeared from my world. Not responding to birthday cards 'n letters, I'd given up on her. Then, just before I came to this Reunion ... I get a birthday card from her! Who believes in serendipity? So my meal was a sweet reconnecting with my friend Linda. The Mexican restaurant is noisy and hurried, but the connection was warm and we agreed to a more private meal at her home later. Such a full, rewarding day . . . I'm lovin' my reunion with my beloved Telluride. I even fantasize . . . is there some way I can live here again? Hey, we can all dream, right?

The Western memorabilia - well, I just had to gather some part of the wild atmosphere - are collected from some of my travelings through Telluride - had to have the "Cowgirl" card. Most of you know I'm a closet cowgirl, right? Well, you know now :)

Some "Sweet-est Favorites" before Flying Off to Telluride Reunion

This has gotta be one of my happiest memory journal pages. Following some trips or events I like to just sit down after the fact and nest into what was the very, very "favorite-est" parts of that time. It is with this page I did just that for my "Women's Journaling Alpine Retreat 2013". On our final retreat day we'd all assembled delightful, diverse lil' "Harvest Books". Kind of what we in brief, had "harvested" from each of the rare and rich spirits of the women at this retreat.

T'was one of the most riotous and creative times at the entire retreat and I wanted the nest my book securely in my journal. I adore my book, with it's tumble of word descriptions in the middle page and then, the individually designed page by each retreat participant, chattering joy, inventiveness and personality across the small, folded pages. It's such a treasure, so unique! I chose this copper, iridescent envelope which I cut off so as to display and make accessible my fold-out book. I loved the "serendipity" of the rusty, copper-ish fishing hook and Chef Izzy's simply elegant business

card residing so cohesively on the page too. Truly a statement of tender gems my life has been sprinkled with ... reminding me I am absolutely blessed.   :)

And not much less charged with happy energy, the opposite page starts chronicling my Telluride Reunion trip. For not much less than a year, I'd made my decision to make this travel down memory lane. And as it unfolded, not only did I get to reunite with many friends but, I was able to show at THE gallery of my dreams too. This page gives you a peek out the final plane flight that took me from Denver over miles of exquisite Rocky Mountain terrain into Montrose. It was just east of Gunnison that I began seeing the small clumps of yellow dotting the mountains below. Oh WOW - - it was my beloved Aspen trees in their golden autumn garb. I nearly cried. Some of you know how connected my heart is to these trees ... many times tears have come to my eyes just being under these lovelies. And it really grounds me to my Colorado roots.

When I reached Montrose my ole' friend (as in having been a friend for forty five years) picked me up with hugs and excited conversation. We shopped for groceries for my next week in a lil' B&B and settled in to meet her new husband. Their cozy home cuddles up against the eastern slopes of the long valley leading to Ridgeway and seeing ole' familiar territory where I'd so long ago lived stirred my heart. We barbecued dinner in their front yard barbecue (which you see here) then, moved inside as the evening cooled.

Boy, did I feel like I was home. I folded myself into the deep mattress and covers of Colorado nights, smiling at the anticipation of the coming days.