Taos Art School
    

Creative Odyssey to Canyon de Chelly; Sept 20 - 28, 2008
Images and Experiences
 
Contributors
All Photos are copyright protected protected and may not be used without permission of The Taos Art School and the Individual Photographers

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Debbie

 
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Thanks to everyone for the incredible inspiration and sharing of your wonderful talents.
Ursula did a wonderful job organizing the trip and making sure everyone had a terrific time.  I felt such a sense of reverence in the canyon and will always remember my experiences there.  The outfitters shared of themselves and their culture, what a treat.
                                                              ~ Debbie
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Photos by Debbie Nelson 2008 student
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

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Maryann

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Photos by Maryann Kirkby 2008 student
A huge thank you to Ursula, Christian, Cedric, John, Ty, Nate and all the wonderful people that made possible the privilege of being and painting in this very beautiful place..  Those 7 days in the canyon were experienced with great joy, awe, respect and a longing for more. The tents, the horses, the campfires, the stars, the tortillas, the stories, sounds in the night, the reflected light, the absorbed light, the walls, the walls, the walls, color, color, color... ancient history, Navajo history...a magic place. 
                              ~ Maryann
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

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Ellen

From Ellen!
What a week!  I loved every minute of it.
Again, thank you everyone, for becoming a part of my life.  Thank you Ursula - your dream came true, and you should be so proud!

love you all
e

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Photos by Ellen Harper 2008 student
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

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Janet Pr.
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

Photos by Janet Price 2008 student

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

The week at Canyon de Chelly was extraordinary.  I was in constant awe of the incredible scenery, the amazing history and culture, the spirited horses and all the special people.  I have never been on a trip with such a wonderful group of participants and guides.  It was incredible to be painting in such an environment.  Ursula, thank you for making it all possible.  And thank all of you for being you.

~ Janet

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

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Carol
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

May it be beautiful before me,
May it be beautiful behind me,
May it be beautiful below me,
May it be beautiful above me,
May it be beautiful all around me.
I am restored in beauty, I am restored in beauty, I am restored in beauty.
Portion of a Navajo Chant taken from "Spider Woman, a Story of Navajo Weavers and Chanters" by Gladys Reichard

What a blessing to have shared this soulful canyon with all of you who put paint-pastel-ink-pencil to fabric to capture fleeting light from a moment in time, within spectacular silence, where we in turn did covet pictographs of the ancient ones, possibly also so inspired by the beauty all around. Be hopeful. Namaste.

~ Carol

Photos by Carol Rieber 2008 student

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

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Rieber
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Photos by ... 2008 student
Photos by Carol Rieber 2008 student
Photos by Robert Rieber 2008 student
Photos by Carol Rieber 2008 student
Photos by Carol Rieber 2008 student
Photos by Carol Rieber 2008 student
Hi to all

It is just great to sit down and go through our pictures of the Canyon De Chelly. It brings back so many great memories; the light, the colors, the laughter and the silence.

Hiking in footsteps that were made hundreds of years ago was a highlight for me.

Thank you for being there and take care

Rieber

Photos by Carol Rieber 2008 student

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Jenny

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

Photos by Jenny Johnson 2008 student

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Photos by Jenny Johnson 2008 student
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Photos by Jenny Johnson 2008 student

I find myself relatively speechless when I try to describe my trip to friends.  Not enough can be said in one conversation about the beauty, experiences and friendships defining the canyon journey for me.  

Thank you Ursula for your monumental effort, skill, and passion in putting this trip together.  Clearly you had seasoned flexibility in leading the group as each new day (and moment) presented choices. 

The Totsoni Outfitters were extraordinary in their friendliness and patience (and their humor).   We were lucky to be able to spend so long with them and feel a connection.  Don't you have to grin when you remember "CEDRICK!  Stop!  Just for a minute, it’s TOO good, look at that light, that wall is actually GLOWING!!!"  He would stop and in Chinese fire drill style we'd all pile out and in after photos were taken.  Cedrick: always keeping a sparkle in his eye, and, we were never late getting back to camp????  And  John, playing an electronic Fur Elise on a loud speaker, with a grin from ear to ear; or, the same grin as he rode into the sunset, standing.  And tall, quiet Nathan, getting the only singing whistle, wow.

I hope our group can keep a dialog even over the great distances we live from each other.  Our group was special.

~ Jenny

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Patricia
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Photos by Patricia Fuhrmann 2008 student
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

Greetings,

Well, it's been two weeks since we left the Canyon, but a little bit of ME is still there.  And the whole Canyon de Chelly experience will always be with me.
Thank you Ursala, so very much, for everything you did to organize not just a fun painting trip, but an unforgetable, amazing experience that created incredible, lasting memories and wonderful new friendships.
Except for having to leave, everything was perfect; the group, our wonderful guides, the fabulous weather, Ty's great meals, the laughter and sharing of stories, getting to know so many interesting and talented artists, the horses, the coyotes, the campfires, etc., etc.
I could go on but I'm sure everyone feels the same way I do.
 
Best to all,

~ Pat

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

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Joseph
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

CANYON DE CHELLY:

FIRST THINGS FIRST:
 URSULA:
A TRULY WONDERFULLY WEEK. VERY SPECIAL THANKS FOR YOUR INSIGHT, PATIENCE, AND DESIRE FOR LETTING THIS CREATIVE EXPERIENCE HAPPEN!

SECONDLY: OUR WONDERFUL NAVAJO GUIDES.  THANKS, WE SHARED MANY LAUGHS AND GOOD WILL TOWARD ONE ANOTHER!  CEDEE, LET’S DO SOME MORE DONUTS!  WHAT A BLAST!  TY, TELL FOOD WAS EXCELLENT!

FINALLY:  THE PARTICIPANTS: OUR GROUP WAS TRULY A SPECIAL GROUP OF ARTISTS.  THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE CAMPING TIPS.

MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS:

EACH DAY: 
18 HOURS OF RADIANT EARTH COLORS      INVITING US INTO THE RAINBOW OF JOY!

EACH NIGHT:  
THE MILKY WAY RIVER WITHIN THE STARLIT MIDNIGHT SKY.....SO SILENT BETWEEN THOSE GIANT MONOLITHS.

JUST BEFORE THE BREAK OF DAWN:
THE COYOTE CANYON CALLS…………I CAN STILL HEAR THERE ECHOES!

LONG LIVE THE GREAT NAVAJO NATION!

THESE MEMORIES ARE PRICELESS!

 

Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

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Tracy
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

To awaken each day in such a remarkable place, and know that my only job was to soak in the beauty and to choose what to paint next, was a pure joy!

There is an immediacy, being surrounded by the whispers of Anasazi culture, that feels like time out of time. In this particular place in Navajoland, the old is woven in with the new, and the earth prevails over anything modern by its awesome presence.

Life from another time is bleeding through in this canyon. The layers are more visible, more living.

The feeling of summer still lingered, although it was already one week into fall, and the magnificent Cottonwood trees were only just beginning to change colors. It was a golden moment between seasons, still so warm and abundant, with clear, star-filled nights.

There is a spirit in this canyon , and a deep silence within these ancient sandstone walls streaked with desert varnish....Only the echoes of animals and birds: crow, coyote, Navajo horses and canyon wrens, pierce the quiet. The earth, soft and red, and the cool shadows moving with the sun, create an atmosphere of beauty all around.

I have huge gratitude for the friends I made, and for the unique opportunity I had to visit and paint in Canyon de Chelly.

~ Tracy

 

   
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Paintings by Tracy
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008
Clickable Image: tour workshop Canyon de Chelly, paint, photograph, Student photos 2008

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