Revealing Thursdays- Artwork Transformations of Sedona!

Guess I took the scenic route to get to my final Sedona painting.

This  16" x 20" acrylic on canvas started out textural, with a rainbow of brushed muted red rock colors and cactus.

Started to feel the need to intensify some of the color to connect with the energy of the land that just seems to envelop you.

 Then, I began to paint different kinds of cactus and rocks that were everywhere I looked. I've never painted either one before so it was like playing for the first time in a sandbox. Couldn't get enough of trying all different looks and styles.

And then, I was  hooked on wanting to include the magnificent and striking Chapel Of The Holy Cross,  designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright in 1957.  

And so, with that completed, here's the finished painting.  

  I used part of a leather book cover to create the body of the  cactus tree below and incorporated turquoise stones and pieces of clay rock for depth, richness and color.

In addition to using a palette knife, tissue paper and gesso were used for the deep layers within the mountainous terrain.

What can you do to adorn your days with fancy extra touches for sparkle and pizazz- to add that special something out of the ordinary to result in something extraordinary?

The Summer's Glow Graced Me!

 I recently  took  a trip to  Sedona Arizona for some healing and rest. Although I visited Sedona once before, I was again overtaken  by the beauty of the land, the gorgeous sunsets, and  the exquisite designs from  layer upon layer of intricate patterns within the country side.  It's impossible not to be overtaken by the breathtaking mountains covered in reds, oranges and gorgeous hues in between creating a  hypnotic state of beauty. 

Just loved the natural design that was formed from curled fallen bark on the ground below me.  

And couldn't resist the magnetic attraction of this beautiful orange dragon fly that landed on our car's antenna.                                          

Below is the magical force of a vortex tree -a swirling center of subtle energy coming out from the sacred earth's surface. Red rocks can been seen stacked  on these vortex Juniper trees.

This is a photo of  The Church of the Holy Cross 

built into the red rocks of Sedona, designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright in 1957.   

And here is a mixed media painting I created after my first trip to Sedona- to mark the beauty of the site.

If you look closely below, you can see the  pieces of turquoise and red rock I used to create the feel of the textured stone filled land.

And below you can see peeks of the  magnificent magical sky.

And here  is a view of a  pastel drawing I started in Sedona- trying to capture the essence of the rainbow colors that were surrounding me. 

Then worked on it a little bit more when I got home. 

Give yourself the gift to let your mind capture the essence of the moments and colors around you. Smile and say thank you! Then smile again! 

Sedona on My Mind- Still on My Mind

Here's the latest version of my Sedona painting. It's moving in the direction I like. May still continue to work on it. But, it's feeling much "closer to home".

An Evening of Painting

I added the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a major monument built within the red rock in Sedona (designed by disciples of Frank Lloyd Wright) to the painting tonight. Getting closer to connecting with how I want the painting to feel. Will sit with it for a few days to see what kind of changes I need to make. Definitely getting there.

Summer 2008 Vacation: Views from Sedona and Kauai.

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