Leaves Starting to Turn in Zion Canyon

Usually about this time of year we head for Vermont to take in the fall colors and do some painting. This year because of the library commission and several workshops I'm teaching I have to forego that pleasure. However, Fall in Utah is something to behold too. While at the cabin yesterday we noticed the change beginning on the oak leaves. With the cool air that worked its way in over the weekend that will probably speed up the process. I scouted out a couple of great spots to return to in Zion Canyon when the Cottonwoods turn their brilliant yellow-gold.

More sketchbook drawings of Zion National Park

Wild Turkeys at Zion National Park

Since wild turkeys were introduced to Zion National Park, they have proliferated and done very well. We frequently have them visit our cabin and wander through on their way down the draw to Lemon Springs. They are goofy looking critters with big helmet shaped bodies and an ungainly walk. Their feathers are big enough to make a headdress out of, and my grandkids love to find them. Benjamin Franklin said he thought they would have made a more appropriate national bird than the Bald Eagle.

Zions Ponderosa Ranch

We made a quick overnight trip to our cabin at Zions Ponderosa Ranch on the east boundary of Zion National Park. My excuse was to get a few things done on the cabin before winter, but really I just wanted to inhale the cool mountain air. As the sun began to melt, I went for a little hike in the draw below our cabin to check out the flora and fauna. The oaks are already starting to turn gold near the cabin, while higher up the mountain orange and red are starting to color the landscape. A little breeze rustled the leaves and made it easier for me to remain undetected as I sat still hoping to glimpse some wildlife.


After a while several deer stuck their heads out of the thicket above me and checked me out before sauntering over the ridge. Can you see a deer in the photo above? Check out the closeup below.



Returning to the cabin I stoked up a fire in the old woodstove and we had a little Dinty Moore beef stew and hot chocolate--just the ticket to warm us up for the cool night ahead. As darkness sank around us the temperatures dropped considerably and we decided to add a few blankets to our bed. Before bedding down we went outside again for a last glimpse of the night sky absolutely filled with stars. Ahhh, everything is perfect tonight.

With morning came the traditional "cabin breakfast" that our kids love so much. Fried eggs, toast, bacon, hot chocolate, and fruit. Does food really taste better in the mountains?

By noon we wandered down into Zion Park and had lunch on a little overlook. I put my digital camera to work gathering some ideas for future paintings. Then back in the studio by mid-afternoon to get back to work.

Finding the Models and the Pioneer Clothing

Today I stopped by and visited a good friend and fellow artist, Sam Lawlor, to get some tips for the library mural project. He is one of the finest artists I know when it comes to the figure and has a lot of experience painting historical scenes. After showing him my rough sketches Sam gave me free reign to use his period costume collection. I left with a big bag of clothing and went right to work.

We know a beautiful young family that lives across the street, the Schweitzers, and they readily agreed to be my models for an afternoon photo shoot. In about an hour I knew I had enough material to help me not only on this painting but several others as well. The kids were fabulous and couldn't have been more perfect.

Here's one of the shots. I think they look wonderful!

Washington County Library Mural

I met today with Douglas Alder, the Chairman of the Washington County Library Board, and Brenda, the library director, to go over the initial sketches for the library paintings. They were pleased with the concepts, and had a few additional suggestions. Target date for installation is the first week in December 2006, with the official dedication ceremony set for February 19, 2007.

In the photo (l to r)Doug Alder, architect Ben Rogers, and the building project manager.

Library Mural Drawings

I worked up a couple of rough sketches today for the new Washington County Library Painting. I think I've got the idea down, I just need to work out the details. I'm planning a 4' x 8' painting in oils which will be the biggest painting I've ever done. I'm probably crazy, but I really want to do this.



A 10 inch x 20 inch rough "thumbnail sketch"

Historical Paintings for the new Washington County Library

I will be spending the next couple of months working on a commission painting for for the new Washington County Library. I have been researching the history of the libraries in this area from the first Lyceum Reading Room in Pioneer times to today.

I have painted many historical paintings of the southern Utah area in the past, and I especially enjoy the research part of it. This project is a little tougher, because I have to include all four of the former buildings and there has not been much written on the subject. Luckilly I do have some good old photos to use as reference. Over the next couple of months I will try to post my progress.

This is one of my rough thumbnail sketches of the painting figures. I will do dozens of thumbnail drawings trying to work out an effective composition. When I get it all figured out, I will actually schedule a session with costumed models.

Capitol Reef National Park

Ahhh! Doing what I love the most -- being outside in nature with my sketchbook.

Sketchbook drawings of Capitol Reef National Park

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2006
The rest of the families rolled into camp and we set up in the beautiful group camping area for fun and games. The grandkids loved the deer roaming through camp. In the morning I took my travel sketchbook and hiked up the Fremont River Trail. I stopped along the way to enjoy the view as the narrow trail wound higher and higher up the cliffs. Resting in the shade, I did this sketchbook drawing of the valley below. The Fremont River meanders peacefully between the awesome cliffs and towers creating an unbelievable scene.

FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 09, 2006

We enjoyed a wonderful cool night with the rain pelting our tent for several hours. It broke up just long enough about 3:00 in the morning for us to go out and see the full moon peeking out from behind the clouds. As morning broke I took a few photos and did some sketchbook drawings of the old pioneer buildings at the Gifford farm, then took the road toward Panorama Point and made some sketchbook studies of the old twisted Cedar trees and the strange tumbled rock towers that abound everywhere you look.
The sky was filled with huge gathering thunderclouds and made a perfect backdrop for the spectacular scenery. As expected, it wasn't long til the sky opened up and the desert became a glistening lake. I took cover up under some huge boulders and kept right on sketching. This old cedar tree was a perfect model as I studied its twisted branches. It makes me wonder at the raw power nature uses to bend and shape both living things and stone in the desert.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 08, 2006

It rained all the way over to Capitol Reef National Park and let up just long enough for us to set up our tent and settle in. Already dark from the clouds, nightfall began to set in quickly. I grabbed my travel sketchbook and tried to capture some quick pencil sketches of the mule deer who had wandered into the orchard where we were camped. They have learned to stand on their hind legs and reach high to get the juicy apples, and usually bed down in the tall cool grass under the trees.

Reunion at Capitol Reef National Park

About this time each year we have a family reunion of sorts at Capitol Reef National Park. We rent the group campground and spend a few days hiking and introducing the kids to the wonders of the outdoors. What we like most about the campground is that it's surrounded by apple orchards ready to harvest. Not only do we get to pick them but we get to watch the deer come down and feast as high as they can reach too. So tonight we get to spend the night under the stars with a full moon rising over Capitol Dome. As my brother in law Robert Eves says, "One weekend at Capitol Reef in September is better than a month any other time of the year!"



Watercolor Painting of Capitol Reef National Park by Roland Lee.