Artists in the Canyon

As I wrote earlier, my friend, Kim Moss, is back in the village (see previous post A Very Mini Artist’s Colony). We decided to take a walk into the canyon very early the other morning and headed out before 7AM. It’s been quite hot here of late so it’s a good idea to walk before the heat of the day. But we also started early because the light is particularly beautiful when the sun is still low on the horizon.

Just the day before on his walk into the canyon Kim had witnessed two bluebirds going in and out of their nesting hole in a tree (bluebirds nest in the holes created by woodpeckers Kim told me) and we were hoping to see them again on this day. We did. This is a photo of the female, far less colorful than the bright blue male:

On his previous day, while standing observing the bluebirds, a hummingbird came to this flower to feed while Kim was standing there:

The canyon is alive always but particularly so in these cool morning hours. It’s a privilege to be a part of it. I’m just realizing now that I should have shot some video so you could share in hearing the magnificent birdsong. Truly beautiful.

I wanted to go into the canyon to collect more photos from which to paint. I’m working on my Canyon Series and my vision is changing as I paint it. The photos I’d shot earlier no longer speak to my shifted vision. So I gathered new photo scrap from which to work.

As we stood there on the canyon floor a coyote took up a howl, an owl hooted in the distance and it was time to head home—to good coffee, our easels, and another brilliant day of creating. It’s true I have you all with whom to share, but I have to say, there is something very special about having the immediacy of Kim here to experience this place, this life, these acts. Someone to witness the beauty in a moment, someone who sees and hears and smells what I do in real time.

And here is Kelee after the climb out of the canyon:

Love to you all,
Jeane