Grand Canyon Sketches
Grand Canyon
"Grand Canyon, North Rim" was painted in front of the big lodge that over looks the Canyon. We camped nearby in a campground right on the cliff. No sleep walking allowed! This was my first time to ever see the Canyon. It had to be drawn immediately. So awe inspiring.
"Grand Canyon after the Three Mile Hike" Some of us from the geology trip were sitting in the bus. Some were standing on the stairway looking over the Canyon. I was sitting on the stairs drawing. Soon big mountain ants were walking across my legs and shoes. But the drawing wasn't finished yet! The ants would have to wait as long as they weren't biting. This drawing will become a painting.
Zion
Zion
"Altar of Sacrifice" is a landmark in Zion. This huge formation is white with a layer of red on top suggesting a sacrifice. Many Biblical names are used in this valley such as the Three Patriarchs which are 3 gigantic pillars of stone grouped together.
"Cliffs of Zion" is another drawing done quickly while our leader was talking about the geological formations. What a dramatic area!
"Zion from the Pool" This view of Zion's amazing cliffs was done at the swimming pool. You can see a couple of splashes on the drawing! The colors and sedementary bands of rock were phenomenal. The campground was dry dusty place to set up camp with dirt so hard you could barely pound in a tent stake. We stayed here for 2 nights. Our caterer "Log Cabin Grub" took great care of us with delicious breakfast made in the chuck wagon every day, 3x/day!
Bryce
Bryce
"White Formation, Red Cliffs" This area has such a contrast in colors, rock composition, and unusual formations! You see hoodoos here, for example: pillars of rock that suggest people talking with each other, or waiting for a big event. In fact there is a grouping of Hoodoos called "The Queen and her Court" that are a beautiful pink color.
"Arch in Bryce" I'm not sure of the exact name of this arch. However, one of the arches recently collapsed. I was happy to have drawn this one before anything happens to it.
Landmarks of Arizona/Utah
Grand Staircase
"Checkerboard Mesa" is a fascinating white mesa with vertical and horizonal separations in the rock. This is part of the Zion formation, but not in the main park.
"Rock Formation" was somewhere on our trip where we made a quick stop. Unfortunately, I didn't write down the exact locaton.
"Extrusion" differs in the way that it was formed. Harder rock was "extruded" upward out of the soft mud. A hoodoo has softer rock washed away from the hoodoo by huge amounts of water.
"Windmill in Kanab" was in the city park. We were happy to be here in a place that was green for our lunch on the way to the Grand Staircase and back, as well. Grand Staircase includes Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce, Kodachrome Basin, and Grand Canyon.