2013 Community Artist in the Parks
Sarah Hamingson was the 2013 Community Artist in the Parks for Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument and Hovenweep National Monument.
Painting from April through November, I experienced a full range of weather, with temperatures from the 30s to the upper 90s. Add to that rain, hail, and wind --so much wind. Cold wind, hot wind, wind that blew my easel- and all my pastels!- over. Since I set my schedule a month or two in advance, I managed to experience an incredible amount of inclement weather.
I was also treated to some perfect days, awesome clouds and amazing, ever-changing light. Due to my set painting schedule I saw our local parks at times I never would have. I experienced moments of peace and solitude; I was surrounded by busloads of tourists, and I heard the excited outbursts of visitors seeing the parks' beauty for the first time.
I had the opportunity to slow down and look at my surroundings in a way many people never get to. I was also able to encourage some visitors to take the time to slow down and experience the beauty around them. I hope that through my paintings you too will experience some of the joy and beauty I was part of as Community Artist in the Parks.
Painting from April through November, I experienced a full range of weather, with temperatures from the 30s to the upper 90s. Add to that rain, hail, and wind --so much wind. Cold wind, hot wind, wind that blew my easel- and all my pastels!- over. Since I set my schedule a month or two in advance, I managed to experience an incredible amount of inclement weather.
I was also treated to some perfect days, awesome clouds and amazing, ever-changing light. Due to my set painting schedule I saw our local parks at times I never would have. I experienced moments of peace and solitude; I was surrounded by busloads of tourists, and I heard the excited outbursts of visitors seeing the parks' beauty for the first time.
I had the opportunity to slow down and look at my surroundings in a way many people never get to. I was also able to encourage some visitors to take the time to slow down and experience the beauty around them. I hope that through my paintings you too will experience some of the joy and beauty I was part of as Community Artist in the Parks.
Skyline Arch
ARCHES
On average, I visited Arches once a week, and experienced the full gamut of weather, as well as being in the park during some of the quietest times to the busiest times. I spent hours without a visitor; I was surrounded by busloads of tourists. Here's an quote from my journal: "I feel that I have been given a great gift, to see this place in a depth that I have not before, that many never will, to experience it on such a regular and frequent basis."
On average, I visited Arches once a week, and experienced the full gamut of weather, as well as being in the park during some of the quietest times to the busiest times. I spent hours without a visitor; I was surrounded by busloads of tourists. Here's an quote from my journal: "I feel that I have been given a great gift, to see this place in a depth that I have not before, that many never will, to experience it on such a regular and frequent basis."
CANYONLANDS: ISLAND IN THE SKY
Most months I visited Island in the Sky, for my scheduled painting times, as well as a few visits to scout and photograph for future paintings. Notice the clouds and storms in all of these paintings.
October and November included field trips with 3rd and 4th graders from Helen M. Knight Elementary School. Together with Bruce Hucko and Shannon Scherer, I taught plein air painting in a project titled "Look Where We Live! Canyonlands as seen through the eyes of Moab's youth artists." It was very rewarding to share my love of plein air painting as well as my love for the place with the kids as I wrapped up my season as Community Artist in the Parks.
Throughout the season, I tried to encourage visitors to pick up some pastels and create some art of their own. There's really nothing like spending two or three or more hours in one place really studying it to appreciate it. I hoped that folks would at least get a taste of this.
Most months I visited Island in the Sky, for my scheduled painting times, as well as a few visits to scout and photograph for future paintings. Notice the clouds and storms in all of these paintings.
October and November included field trips with 3rd and 4th graders from Helen M. Knight Elementary School. Together with Bruce Hucko and Shannon Scherer, I taught plein air painting in a project titled "Look Where We Live! Canyonlands as seen through the eyes of Moab's youth artists." It was very rewarding to share my love of plein air painting as well as my love for the place with the kids as I wrapped up my season as Community Artist in the Parks.
Throughout the season, I tried to encourage visitors to pick up some pastels and create some art of their own. There's really nothing like spending two or three or more hours in one place really studying it to appreciate it. I hoped that folks would at least get a taste of this.
CANYONLANDS: NEEDLES
I spent two weekends in Needles, one in May and the other in October. I had planned two weekends in October, but the road in through Bobby's Hole was impassable, and I had to "settle" for a (spectacular) view into Big Pocket from outside the park. Weekend visits to Needles never seem enough. I always want to stay much longer.
I spent two weekends in Needles, one in May and the other in October. I had planned two weekends in October, but the road in through Bobby's Hole was impassable, and I had to "settle" for a (spectacular) view into Big Pocket from outside the park. Weekend visits to Needles never seem enough. I always want to stay much longer.
NATURAL BRIDGES
I visited Natural Bridges for a few days in the middle of June. Like Hovenweep, it's a quiet and less visited location. Some time I'll go back and figure out a way to get that amazing night sky and those wondrous stars into a painting. I painted each of the three bridges while I was there. If you look closely enough, you should be able to feel the gnats biting.
I visited Natural Bridges for a few days in the middle of June. Like Hovenweep, it's a quiet and less visited location. Some time I'll go back and figure out a way to get that amazing night sky and those wondrous stars into a painting. I painted each of the three bridges while I was there. If you look closely enough, you should be able to feel the gnats biting.
HOVENWEEP
The third weekend in September was spent in Hovenweep. It's such a peaceful place with little visitation. On the full day that I was there, I painted the two paintings you see, one in the morning, and the other in the evening. No one was around for the last hour before sunset as I painted Hovenweep Castle - everyone missed some beautiful light, followed by the sky clouding over.
The sun broke through for a spectacular sunset -- followed by rain. Sunset and rain at the same time, and then a double rainbow over Hovenweep Castle. Magical!
Those of you who live in the area might remember that weekend for the storms and flooding. The second night I was there lightning flashed over the Sleeping Ute off and on all night. I kept expecting him to rise up, just like the legend says!
My last morning there, I went to Holly Ruin, one of the outlier ruins. As I sketched in my painting, a storm moved in. I packed up and headed for my car just before it hit: heavy rain, hail, thunder booming and lightning popping all around me for close to an hour.
The third weekend in September was spent in Hovenweep. It's such a peaceful place with little visitation. On the full day that I was there, I painted the two paintings you see, one in the morning, and the other in the evening. No one was around for the last hour before sunset as I painted Hovenweep Castle - everyone missed some beautiful light, followed by the sky clouding over.
The sun broke through for a spectacular sunset -- followed by rain. Sunset and rain at the same time, and then a double rainbow over Hovenweep Castle. Magical!
Those of you who live in the area might remember that weekend for the storms and flooding. The second night I was there lightning flashed over the Sleeping Ute off and on all night. I kept expecting him to rise up, just like the legend says!
My last morning there, I went to Holly Ruin, one of the outlier ruins. As I sketched in my painting, a storm moved in. I packed up and headed for my car just before it hit: heavy rain, hail, thunder booming and lightning popping all around me for close to an hour.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Over the course of eight months of being in the national parks and monuments of Southeast Utah, I made numerous sketches, field studies, and photographs that I will be referring to in my studio for some time to come. I'm currently working on some larger pieces based on my field work. Although the pace will slow down somewhat, once it warms up, I'm sure I'll be out painting in the parks -- and I still plan on making it to the Maze!
Over the course of eight months of being in the national parks and monuments of Southeast Utah, I made numerous sketches, field studies, and photographs that I will be referring to in my studio for some time to come. I'm currently working on some larger pieces based on my field work. Although the pace will slow down somewhat, once it warms up, I'm sure I'll be out painting in the parks -- and I still plan on making it to the Maze!
