Back from our Family History Research Trip

We just returned from about 10 days traveling in the midwest with my brother and sister as we followed the trail of our pioneer ancestors from Illinois to Utah. I kept up my travel sketchbook and planned a few paintings I will be working on this summer in my studio.


Above: Grant Lee, Andrea Lee Conley, and Roland Lee stand on the property once owned by their ancestor Francis Lee in Nauvoo, Illinois.


Above: Nellie stands in front of the elegant and finely appointed Ellis Sanders Bed and Breakfast which was our home for three days in Nauvoo. David and Diane Owen, the owners, provide a multi-course breakfast that is amazing. This house was once owned by my sister-in-law's ancestor Ellis Sanders, so our stay there had special meaning to us.

New Painting of the Historic Pine Valley Chapel

As I get ready to leave for ten days on a pioneer history trip, I was glad to renew my painting acquaintance with an old friend, the Pine Valley Chapel. I worked hard this past week to complete this commission painting of one of my favorite subjects. The pioneer town of Pine Valley lies in a cool mountain valley about 35 miles north of St. George Utah. This wonderful chapel sits majestically, yet serenely at the center of the town. It has served the townspeople well since the 1800's and is still used as an LDS meeting house to this day.

As I visited the place recently and walked around the grounds, I was amazed that the pine trees that seemed so tiny years ago had grown up to nearly hide the whitewashed walls and steeple. Nice as the evergreens are, I still liked the old view, and chose to paint this scene without them. The ancient cottonwood trees are still there though, hanging on to life. It seemed more fitting to include them in the painting. We are all getting older. Click to learn more about this painting

Large Scale Paintings of Zion Result From the Thomas Moran Paint-out

I am still overcome by the experience of painting en plein air during the week-long invitational "In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran." What a grand experience that was to let my senses soak in the grandeur of that wonderful place. After returning to the studio, while still under Zion's spell, I produced a couple of really large landscape paintings in an attempt to capture the glory of the place called "Zion."



I both sketched and painted this scene of Zion's Sentinel on location in Zion Canyon. However I really wanted to dramatize it in a big way. This was completed in my studio from my on-location studies. Click for information about this painting



Not feeling like I was capturing the scale of Zion's huge cliffs, I went even larger with this painting of sheer cliffs in the afternoon light along Taylor Creek in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion Park. It is a portrait of the sculpting that goes on daily as Zion is carved and shaped by the master sculptor. Click for more information about this painting.

Sons of Utah Pioneers

I am the President-elect of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, a service group whose mission is to honor pioneers of the past, present and future. Part of our goal is to teach the younger generation about history and instill in them a desire to be better citizens. On Friday and Saturday the SUP participated in the Washington City Cotton Festival where we had a wagon in the parade and set up a display of wagons, buggies, and pioneer relics. Dressed in pioneer garb, we spoke to school children from all of the local elementary schools. They were especially enthralled with the big red stage coach, which they were totally unfamiliar with. Some called it a fire engine, a boat, or a princess carriage.



The Sons of Utah Pioneers wagon in the parade was pulled by a beautifully restored tractor



Dean Terry of Terry's Twin Springs Ranch supplied all the wagons for the display from his personal collection. Here he lets the second grade schoolchildren try out pulling hand-made replica of a pioneer handcart.

RED ROCK RONDO DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE HELD AT ZION NATIONAL PARK

We attended the premiere viewing of the new television documentary film "Red Rock Rondo" on Saturday night at the Zion Amphitheater. The film features a contemporary folk musical group, Red Rock Rondo, as they pay tribute to the early settlers of southern Utah and Zion Canyon. It was a stunning presentation! The film airs in Utah on KUED public television May 21.



One of my artist friends, Donal Jolley is the son of the first chief ranger of Zion National Park and was one of only a few people actually born in the park. He and his wife Velma were on hand for the opening reception and premiere.


Donal Jolley (left) greets JL Crawford at the premiere. Both were born in Zion Park. Watching are Don's wife Velma, Don Falvey retired superintendent of Zion National Park, and Lyman Hafen, Executive Director of the Zion Natural History Association.

Artists Demonstrate Techniques at A New Vision Exhibit

Several of the guest artists set up their easels and demonstrated their painting techniques to the visitors at the Santa Clara New Visions show last weekend. I worked on a watercolor painting called "Light on the Peak."

Charles Dayton showed his considerable skill as he combined photos of a landscape with cowboy reference and nearly completed a small oil painting.



Keith Bond is equally adept at small paintings as he is with the murals he recently painted for the Utah State Capitol Building. He painted this ala prima scene of aspen trees while everyone watched in awe.



Annette Everett worked on a bust of a young girl, answering questions as she worked.She is an amazing sculptor, having won Best of Show at the Women Artists of America show last year with "Duet, Mary and Martha."

Santa Clara Historic Mural Dedicated

The new Santa Clara historic mural dedication was well-attended as community members and descendents of the early pioneer settlers gathered to see the grand unveiling. My close friend and fellow artist Julie Rogers spent many months working on the project from research to completion. The whole city of Santa Clara witnessed the creation of the mural as Julie did all the painting on site, using actual descendents as live models.

The mural idea was conceived by Kathleen Nielson who shared her thoughts on the event, and afterward Julie explained the processes used and told about the choice experiences she had and the bonds created while painting the mural. I feel a closeness as well as I was part of the selection committee and knew Julie's talent and spirit would be perfect for this project.

New Visions Art Show Gets Underway

A number of Gallery artists were on hand for the opening of the New Visions of Art show at the Santa Clara Town Hall this morning. The show continues tomorrow 10am to 8pm.


My art display was in the middle of the hall adjacent to the sculpture display of well-known artist L'Deane Trueblood. In addition to my original paintings I also displayed the new art books I'm featured in, and showed my travel sketchbooks.



Jane Juber (left) owner of The Mission Gallery with sculptor Annette Everett.



Annette Everett demonstrates sculpting a bust in clay to Santa Clara school children.



Artist Kieth Bond talks to art collectors in front of his oil paintings.

2nd Annual New Visions Group Art Show at Santa Clara Town Hall

Jane Juber and the Mission Gallery will host a special two-day art exhibit Friday and Saturday at the Santa Clara Town Hall. I will have about 12 paintings on display. A number of other gallery artists will be present for the show, which will feature over 100 pieces on exhibit. The show is scheduled to coincide with the dedication of the new Town Hall mural completed by Julie Rogers. Her painting depicts the history of Santa Clara and its founding pioneer families. We were out there today as Julie put the finishing touches on the mural in preparation for the dedication ceremony Friday at 11am.



Above: Artist Julie Rogers puts the finishing touches on her historic mural at the Santa Clara Town Hall.

New Art Book Now in Stock "Painters of Utah's Canyons and Deserts"

I picked up a couple of cases of the new book from Gibbs Smith, "Painters of Utah's Canyons and Deserts" at Donna Poulton's book signing last week in Springdale.

This is one big hefty art book, packed with tons of information and literally hundreds of high quality images. If you want to purchase a book, I have them in the gallery at 20% off the regular price of $75.00.

Dr. Poulton, assistant Curator of Utah and Western Art at the University of Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Vern Swanson, director of the Springville Museum of Art teamed up to author this magnificent book which traces the history of landscape painting in the Utah area from the 1800's to the present.

I am fortunate to be listed on page 214 among the best known landscape artists of the area, and my painting "Wild and Free" from the Springville Museum of Art permanent collection is featured on page 228.

Book Review: "Painters of Utah's Canyons and Deserts" Top Art Book Pick of 2009
Order now "Painters of Utah's Canyons and Deserts"

Sketchbook Drawings of Zion from the Thomas Moran Paint Out

Tonight at our Watercolor Society meeting I showed my sketchbook from the "Footsteps of Thomas Moran" paint-out. It reminded me that I had not posted many of the drawings on the blog. So here goes:

This was a pencil study of an old snag in East Zion. I decided to throw in a few watercolor washes in the style of Thomas Moran.

I was really looking for a place to duck into the shade one afternoon when I sketched this image of the Pulpit and the Altar along the river near Sinawava.

Thomas Moran had sketched from this vantage point where the Zion Visitor's Center now stands. However I chose to sketch the West Wall showing the back of The Streaked Wall, the Beehives, and part of the Sentinel.

I did this study of a tree along the Virgin River near Big Bend. I was using the technique of drawing negative shapes to create the branches and foliage.

The Temple of Sinawava rises abruptly on the East wall behind the entrance to the Zion Narrows Trail. You have to look practically straight up just to sketch it. In the photo below I am holding my sketchbook high to check my drawing.