Travel Blog; Sedona, AZ

My Happy Place

I have taught for the Sedona Arts Center the last eight years, yet the natural scenery there still takes my breath away. Every time. When I make the drive to Sedona from Phoenix, rounding the corner on I-179 into town, the red rocks make my heart soar, and skip a beat. The magic of Sedona is still strong for me, after all these years. Whether it’s the power of the vortex, the peace of the Chapel, or just the fact that all my personal planets (chakras?) are all in alignment when I am in my Happy Place–it’s just picture perfect.

And you know what they say about a picture…

A History of Happy

I have had my art represented by two galleries here, I have taken hot air balloon rides, Jeep tours, mountain biking excursions, gone hiking, walking, running, and even spent some time sitting still. The sitting still is typically associated with eating. I make a point of getting to as many of my favorite restaurants as I can, even if it’s just for a glass of wine or dessert. I also sit still at the Chapel of the Red Rocks, where I take a moment to reflect on how lucky I am to have come so far (figuratively and literally) and to honor the memory of friends not present. I light four votive memory candles every trip.

At Home at The Arts Center

The Arts Center feels like home to me, the staff always welcome me with a smile and a big hug when I get there. They give me the key to the building and the code to the alarm, once I took the key home and I think I’ve set off the alarm more than once; sounds just like family, doesn’t it?

This time we shared stories of what has been happening over the last six months, my new Pet Portraits class next April, and the possibility of my packing my St. Hilaire System, Mixed Media Plein Air easel and participating the Sedona Art Center’s Plein Air Festival. OMG how cool would THAT be? Eight days painting outside in My Happy Place…

Pinch me.

I was lucky enough to be in town for the opening night of a new exhibition of the Arizona Watercolor Society this trip, and I always enjoy the Arts Center’s own gallery. I am always inspired by the work of other artists, especially those who are painting images of the local environs.

Paper Paintings Birds and Blooms Workshop Weekend

This weekend we had a record breaking 20 student for the Birds and Blooms workshop. Sedona Arts Center is a great place for well attended classes, because the Theatre Studio has plenty of room for 20 six-foot tables; everyone gets to spread out in their own space.

This was a brand new class for me, it went incredibly well and the student results were amazing! Everyone was happy with their collage(s) and the opportunity to explore one of the most amazing places in the world. Several students gathered together and went to dinner at Mariposa, where you can sit outside and watch the sun go down with a glass of wine. It was great to see friendships, old and new, being forged. Kat brought several of her friends and mixed media students with her. People came from far and wide, including California, Mexico, Wisconsin, and even Orlando–Kristin and I are nearly neighbors!

I am always happy when students choose to repeat my class for a second (or third, or fourth…) time! Marcia and Susan had taken my beginning collage class in Napa, CA two years ago; they had so much fun they decided to come back for more and explore Sedona. These ladies have a huge sense of adventure, and have been friends for a long time. Last I heard they were off to explore the Boynton Canyon Vortex!

I cannot thank the people who attend my classes enough. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to make my living as a full-time working artist and that would not be possible without the folks who attend my collage workshops and purchase my original artwork.

Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my Art Heart.

A New Adventure

I had booked one extra day for myself in My Happy Place this trip. Although I had no idea how I would spend the free time, I knew it would come to me. I always try to let my options and my heart be open.

You could say I was waiting for a sign…after all, this is Sedona.

As I descended the escalator to baggage claim in Phoenix, I saw a big, beautiful, stunning photo advertising Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours. “That’s it!” I said in my head (I think). “I’m going to photograph the slot canyons.”

There was my sign.

After exploring their website, I opted for a half day tour, exploring and photographing Owl Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, and upper Antelope Canyon. The photo specific tour guides take photographers to the best view points of the canyon, and stop all foot traffic while you set up and take your shot; this is totally different from the sightseeing tour. I truly enjoyed the staff and the guidance.

Getting There

In order to experience all three canyons, photographers had to start at 7:30am and arrive 45 minutes prior to departure. The Canyon is just three hours from Sedona, but that’s still an early start. I set the alarm for 3:00am, left by 3:45am with hotel coffee and my GPS cued up.

Heading out of Sedona toward Flagstaff on Route 89A means experiencing the Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive which is about 14 miles between Sedona and Flagstaff. It has been recognized as one of the Top 5 Most Scenic Drives in America by Rand McNally. Oak Creek Canyon is a breathtaking stretch of natural beauty on a winding road that climbs 4,500 feet from Sedona to the top of the Mogollon Rim.

Heading out at 3:45am did not allow for experiencing scenery, but it did mean cautiously navigating the switchbacks up the Canyon. I have been on this drive many times, so I knew what I was missing in the blackness. I kept in mind that upon my return it was going to be the absolute best time of day for this picturesque drive back down into the canyon. Long purple shadows and backlighting on the stunning fall foliage was in store for my drive home.

Along the way I saw signs for cattle crossing, and an animal with antlers illustrated with a much larger stature than the deer from Florida. I drove cautiously with my high beams on. In Arizona they take the visibility of starry night skies very seriously. There is very little light pollution here, in fact in the last five years Sedona has removed several traffic lights and replaced them with traffic circles. Even parking lot lighting needs to shine only downward and to be low, yellow light. Needless to say, there are no streetlights going up the Canyon.

A Stunning Sunrise

The sun was making its’ way over the mountains as I neared my destination. The sky was pink, purple and eventually a stunning yellow orange combo as I approached Page. The first thing you notice when you get to civilization (Arizona has lots and lots of undeveloped land, making for beautiful travel by car) is the coal power plant that employs many of the towns’ people and folks from the nearby Navajo reservation. My guide Albert told me that if you didn’t work in tourism here, you worked in either the power plant or the coal mine.

Upon arrival at the tour office,  I put my photo gear together with the ever-necessary water bottle and well worn tube of Chapstick. I hoisted myself up into the red sand dusted Ford Excursion, and we headed out to the first canyon; Owl Canyon. The drive through the sand was very slippery and at times hard to navigate, much like driving in snow (something I haven’t experienced since my days in Upstate NY). Albert had to engage the truck’s four wheel drive to get us there.

A Tight Squeeze

The first two canyons of the day were Owl and Rattlesnake. Owl Canyon is named for the gray owls that reside there. My guide pointed out the feathered creatures, I would have never spotted them otherwise. Sitting very still up in a crevasse of the canyon walls, they were stunning. Getting through both Owl and Rattlesnake Canyons requires climbing ladders and standing sideways in order to fit between the walls. No backpacks or camera bags are allowed because they would scrape and damage the sandstone. Beside that, you can barely squeeze yourself and your camera through some of the passages.

I asked Albert if Rattlesnake Canyon meant that we would also encounter its’ namesake. He smiled, “No, its named that because of the shape of the canyon itself, it’s winding and narrow like a snake.”

Whew, that was a relief. You know how I feel about animals with big teeth.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon offered some of the most spectacular formations and lighting. Because the walls are so tall and such little light shines down into the canyon floor, we shot manual exposure with very low ISO and slow shutter speeds.

Upper Antelope Canyon is called Tsé bighánílíní, “the place where water runs through rocks” by the Navajo. Antelope Canyon was formed by the erosion of Navajo sandstone, primarily from flooding. Rainwater runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes down into the narrow slot canyons. Over time the passageways eroded away, making the corridors deeper and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form swooping shapes in the rock. It really appears to be flowing like water. 

I am typically very intrigued by the more intimate details of my photographic subject. In addition to all the long shots of the Canyon that were suggested by our photo guide, I took a few moments to focus on the smaller details of the Canyon walls. Often times as an artist, it is our job to find beauty in the simple details of our subject matter. Look close, examine the more intimate picture.

Back Down the Hill

After my spectacular morning in the canyons, it was time to make my way back to Sedona. I had high hopes of enjoying the way low afternoon light illuminates Sedona’s red rock formations. The drive did not disappoint, from pine forests, to stoney mountains, to flat desert stretches, to the staggering depths of the Oak Creek Canyon, three hours of visual feast went by like no time at all. What a way to spend the day.

Down the Hill

After my spectacular morning in the canyons, it was time to make my way back to Sedona. I had high hopes of enjoying the way low afternoon light illuminates Sedona’s red rock formations. The drive did not disappoint, from pine forests, to stoney mountains, to flat desert stretches, to the staggering depths of the Oak Creek Canyon, three hours of visual feast went by like no time at all. What a way to spend the day.

I noted the elevation in Flagstaff at one point to be over 7000 feet. That’s pretty high up (and cold) for this Florida girl. Being used to zero feet above sea level, my ears were popping. I pulled out at the scenic view point for Oak Creek Canyon, looking down into staggering depths of rock and pine trees to the winding road below.

Along the bottom of the canyon the sunlight glowed from behind golden yellow foliage, every turn offering a rich palette of colors; red, orange and yellow juxtaposed with a manganese blue sky.

Right at the edge of town I pulled off the road and meandered along one last hiking trail which offered some spectacular views that filled my heart with a sense of gratitude.

Join me Next April

Next April I will return to teach my Paper Paintings Mixed Media Collage Workshop.  We will be working on Pet Portraits (you may get creative on your interpretation of what animal constitutes a pet!) But if you are a repeat student (and I hope you will be soon), you may bring an independent project of your choosing, I’ll work with you one-on-one.

Why not make your own memories with a journey to the Sedona Arts Center next April? Be sure to give yourself an extra day (or two, or three…) to play. I highly suggest making the trip to Antelope Canyon and taking the photography tour, even if you’re just packing a simple point and shoot, the suggested shots and crowd control alone are worth it. There are a million other things to see, depending on your sense of adventure and your speed. You can hike and bike and run around, or you can sit and sip and take it all in. The choice is yours, because either way you are in for an incredible experience.

 

 

 

 

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