My Story is Art – Watercolor Wildflowers in Zion National Park

Sometimes I need to get back to basics, don’t we all?  For my painting trips to Utah a tote full of brushes, palette and some water are all I need.  My favorite comfy t-shirt is just fine for the great outdoors and flip flops make it easy to dip my toes in the raging Virgin River while the paint on my watercolor block is drying.  Last week I spent I glorious week in Zion National Park and the surrounding areas.  I did a lot breathing, thinking, painting and most importantly recharging.  So often when there I paint landscape studies…this time around it was spring in full bloom in this desert valley so you can imagine where my brush was at….

A frame of flowers, soft and full of the goodness that makes watercolor so incredible.  Sheer washes of color, no unnecessary details.  Watercolor textures are their most pretty when I practice the art of restraint.  This can be said of so much in life.  Enjoy!

My Story is Art – Painting Quiet in Zion

There is a certain quiet that only comes from being outside.  Fresh air, clean breezes and the sounds of nature are both basic and complex in the most comforting sort of way.  This week while hiking up the Emerald Pools trail in Zion National Park I did not feel that familiar calm I normally do.  It was a sunny, brisk day and everyone in the park seemed to be on this trail.  It was difficult to hear my own thoughts let alone any quiet on this particular hike.

I decided to head back down the trail in hopes of finding a bit of solitude in my painting.  Of course the most perfect vista was just off the trail and I knew would not provide any sort of recluse.  I sat anyway, pulled out my paints and proceeded to sketch.

Footsteps rustled behind me as hikers whizzed by…but then it was an hour later and I was immersed in the color, dancing light in the canyon and my hands were covered with watercolor.  I realized in that moment my painting had transported me to a small, quiet place amongst the hustle of the trail and I was grateful.

The painting is still not complete and only about 20 minutes from the stage you see here, but that isn’t the point.  I made a moment for myself with the creation of this piece; a moment of sweet quiet amongst the noise.

My Story is Art – A Week of Seeing in Utah

Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit. – Edward Abbey

Today is our last day in Utah for a while.  Utah and its people have been good to us and always are.  There is a certain sense of calm I feel here.  Time slows.  My mind has room to simmer and sort, be and become.  I never feel tired here only raring to go.  The hubby and I visit this place at least four times a year, spend nearly two weeks, work during the day and play at night.  Out here play consists of a sunset walk in Zion Canyon or a quick drive to explore a ghost town nearby.  Not too shabby for a Monday.

North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the Hubby

Oddly enough, this time around I didn’t paint.  Enter gasps.  I instead absorbed…took time to look, listen and really see.  My art teacher from childhood and the woman I consider to be my true mentor over the years, always would remind me that our job as artists was to see; really see the world.  Over the years I have learned that one of the most difficult tasks for an artist is just that….the ability to let go and really look without preconceptions about what we see.  It is in that precious moment that you mind frees and your heart is open to experience all the world has to offer.  As an artist in the wedding world I pride myself on being eyes and ears for my couples.  I listen, watch, read and look all in the name of telling their story on paper.

This week I rediscovered clarity…

Don’t laugh, well okay you can but seriously this photo encapsulates my week…pure joy.  North Rim of GC again.

Elusive Bighorn Sheep in Zion National Park.  A magical moment is seeing these creatures gallop effortlessly across the cliffs.

A place we call Adam and Kristy Canyon in Zion NP.  Our day after Renewal shots were taken here.

The Hubby took this without me even knowing in Bryce Canyon. I tweeted about feeling small out here, in a good way.  This shot says it all.

Out and About – A Renewal in Zion

Greetings from the Philadelphia International Airport where I am about to board a plane (with Mom of course too) headed for Las Vegas.  This trip has been a long time coming as our renewal plans have been in the works since Christmas of 08.  It is hard ot believe the hubby and I are finally headed to Springdale, UT to finalize plans for our renewal celebration this coming May 15th!  There is tons to do, of course, and we are ready to go!  We just booked our photographer and of course now need to finalize the ceremony locale, celebration menu, flowers and a number of other tiny but important details.

The save the dates went out just before Christmas and we are thrilled to be hearing from family and friends nearly everyday who are hoping to make the trip with us.  If you would like to follow along with my adventures over the next 6 days search twitter using the hashtag #renewalinzion or just check in here for some posts from the road.

Zion here I come!

A Wild Week of Contrast: From Vegas to Zion and back!

Today is my first day back in the studio from a whirlwind 8 days out west.  As most of you know the hubby and I are big travelers.  One of our most beloved places on earth (besides home) is Utah, namely Zion National Park.  When I heard of the location for Engage 09!: The Encore we knew a trip to Zion was imminent.   What better timing as we are amidst the plans for our renewal ceremony there next May!

Today is just a little teaser of the blogging to come over the next few weeks chronicling my travels and inspirations from Vegas to Utah and back!  Be sure to keep an eye out for several Inspired Ink posts derived from the fabulous hotel and Casino design of the Wynn and Encore Casinos – wow, my head is still spinning!

Gorgeous mosaic work en route to Wynn Las Vegas via Encore Las Vegas, a fun shot of yours truly and Randi Fenoli from  TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress and lastly a bit of Momental stationery from the Engage Luncheon last Tuesday!

Painting daily was my goal in Zion National Park in addition to choosing the perfect ceremony location for our renewal vows next May.  Say hello to the hubby, Adam!