Artists in Residence for a Day Painting in Zion National Park

Artists in Zion: (Front) Doug Yirka, John Mangels. Middle: Lola Krummenacher, Eve Armsen, Barbara Jones, Dick Rose, Vanessa McCullough, Sandra Feldman. Back: Myron Laub. Not pictured: Annie Barber, Jan Hansen.

Left: Myron Laub. Left below: John Mangels

Our third workshop day was held in Zion National Park. The day was gorgeous, and all of us felt excitement well up as we stepped off the shuttle bus for our first stop at Court of the Patriarchs. Sketchbooks came out and in minutes everyone was working on pencil drawings of the light and shadow on the towering cliffs above us. We then moved on up the canyon to the Temple of Sinawava where we all dispersed to find painting locations. While the artists painted, I grabbed a few sketches of my own then worked my way upriver and downriver trying to give encouragement. Not much was needed, as everyone seemed to find great vistas and got right to work on their watercolor paintings. The combination of enthusiasm, energy, perfect weather and stellar subject matter sucked us into its spell and rewarded us with an almost magical day in Zion.

Left: “Rock” star Doug Yirka

When I got back upriver to check on the little enclave of artists painting the mouth of the Zion Narrows I found they were surrounded by a busload of tourists taking pictures of them. Ahh the joys of being famous artists. I snuck up on doug Yirka and said “Oooh are you an artist?” He’d heard that enough already.

Left: Sandra Feldman

As our painting day came to an end we all sat in front of the Zion Lodge where Sandra Feldman told us a little about the geology of Zion, and I explained more about the restoration of the old Grotto Museum into housing for the new Zion National Park “Artist in Residence” Program which begins this year.

Left: Eve Armsen

We concluded the day back in St. George at the monthly meeting of the Southern Utah Watercolor Society where our artists showed the sketches and paintings done during the workshop. A great time with some great artists! Thanks to all, especially SUWS president Dick Rose, for organizing this event.

Photos below. Top left: Barbara Jones. Top right: Vanessa McCullough. Middle left: Lola Krummenacher. Middle Right: Dick Rose. Bottom Left: Jan Hansen. Bottom Right: Annie Barber