Zion

After Las Vegas, we needed to get back to nature so we headed to Zion National Park in Utah.   The weather was perfect for hiking and I can't begin to describe the beauty of this park so I won't.  You just have to go there yourself.

 A Joshua Tree.  Always wanted to see one so I was beside myself.

I took these photos with my iphone and then zipped them off to family and friends!  How cool is that?

And after a wonderful day of hiking, we had a delicious southwestern meal with a fresh margarita and guacamole.

We left Zion after a few days stay and headed for Bryce via Mount Carmel Highway.  It was hard to stay on the road because there was one breathtaking view after another.  I'm sure we said OMG a hundred times or more.   The highway and structures of the park were built in the 1930's primarily by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a part of the New Deal work relief program.   Jobs-highways-I'm just saying.

Bellagio Haystacks

6x8" oil

Here is my small version of Haystacks, End of Summer, Giverny 1891 by Monet.  What does that have to do with the Bellagio?
We took a recent trip to Las Vegas for my nephew's wedding which was at the Bellagio.  And in the middle of all that excess was an exhibit of about 20 Monet paintings.  Bellagio Monet Exhibit.    Since there were very few people there, I could spend a lot of time soaking them in.  They were magnificent.   So many little strokes, warm colors against cool colors, again and again.  I can't imagine how long it took to complete a painting in that style, of that size.  I'm guessing Monet used a tiny brush which he held at the end of his hand and carefully applied each stroke as he basked in the light of French beautifulness.

Stepping into the hotel lobby the first time is immediate sensory overload.

See the Chihuly glass sculptures?   There are 2000 of them hanging from the ceilings.  A carousel and fields of flowers too.

a windmill and hot air balloons...

This woman is patiently putting tiny succulents and moss in a wire frame to create a  frog sculpture -she's working with tweezers.  Glad I don't have her job or I would need a lot of coffee.

But that's okay because there is a  Jean-Phillipe Chocolate Shop right down the hall with a  fountain of molten chocolate and delicious lattes.

Have a Queen of Hearts Cake.

You may have heard of the singing, dancing fountains which explode in front of the hotel all day and night.

And, here's the happy couple with their Viva Las Vegas wedding cake right before they headed off to the Elvis Presley chapel to get married all over again.

Next stop...Zion National Park, Utah.

Cuervo Candle

moleskine sketch

Here's another Everyday Matters sketch-#2  which is draw a lamp or light.  Took a Cuervo bottle, painted it yellow with chalk paint, stuck a candle in it and let it drip.  I'm on about the 5th candle by now and I have two tequila bottles on the table.  

I've been traveling so journey tales to come.

Summer Shoe

moleskine sketch/Tombow markers

This is one of my favorite shoes this summer.  Many moons ago, Danny Gregory, started a site where he posted something every day and called it Everyday Matters.  He wrote a book by the same name and then several others.  He's posting again on a Facebook site called Everyday Matters and this is #1-draw your shoe.  Check out his blog: Danny Gregory

Happy Birthday America

Red, White and Blue

12 x 12 inches oil, on wrapped canvas

I hope everyone is staying cool.  Martha is...

Lots of chalk painting going on.  Unfortunately, I never remember to take the before picture because I get so excited about painting.  This piece of furniture, and I guess I'll call it a small cupboard, was an ugly little thing.  Neglected, stained, lots of watermarks.  But now, it's been loved with paint

inside and out

whoops, I see a little spot I missed.