I’m beyond excited and honored that I was selected to be the Winter AiR (artist-in-resident) at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM), Colorado, from February 11-March 3, 2025.
This is such a special place and I learned so much about the Ancient Puebloan people that called it home.
A huge thank you to the rangers and volunteers that helped make this such an amazing experience, with special thanks to Southwest Colorado Canyon Alliance for helping to make the residency possible, Vince for the archeology field day, Bridgett for the special museum tour, Jennifer and Bonnie for all of their help, and most of all Amala for everything.
Portfolio of Donated Works
I donated three paintings — I only needed to donate one to meet the terms of the residency but I couldn’t stop!
Bluebird Skies Over Saddlehorn Pueblo
When I first glimpsed Saddlehorn Pueblo my heart soared and I knew I had to paint it! The colors, the view of Sleeping Ute Mountain, and the smell of the pines and junipers all called to me. There was a big snowstorm the day before, but on this day there was nothing but blue skies and sunshine. Just so beautiful!
I could imagine myself living here, and could almost hear the echoes of the Ancients Puebloans.
I’m so glad that it’s protected as part of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in perpetuity.
I hope that this painting captures the joy that I felt there.
Leave It Where You Found It and Be Found Better Than You Left
On my orientation tour I got to see pottery sherds out in the field and that feeling of finding my first one, holding one in my hand, and then carefully putting it back where I found it is still hard to put into words. It hurts my heart that people have stolen them from so many sites.
I created this piece to encourage people to sketch pottery sherds instead of taking them – I can imagine a whole sketchbook filled with them!
My message to everyone is to leave pottery sherds where you find them – and be found better than you were before having had that magical experience of discovery.
I can imagine this piece being turned into a sticker so that visitors to the CANM museum can take home a souvenir the “right” way.
Painting History
While hiking at Painted Hand Pueblo my husband and I each found a pottery sherd and excitedly pointed them out to each other. I didn’t notice his at first, and he didn’t notice mine, and they were right near each other!
I just had to paint them to remember that moment. I hope to complete a series of sherd paintings someday. Painting them is the best way for me to imprint them on my soul.
Rose B. Simpson from Santa Clara Pueblo says it best: “Leave your prayers here, leave your spiritual consciousness here, but don’t take anything with you. The only thing you can take away is what will fill your heart, and that’s all you need.”
Window to the Past
Looking through one of the windows at Painted Hand Pueblo, I wondered what the view was like when the Ancient Puebloans were here. Was there sage? Junipers? Pines?
The contrast between that clear blue sky and the rough rocks called to be painted.
I later learned that Zuni Resource Advisory Team said they are aligned with the sun to mark solstices and equinoxes, making this window to the past even more special.
I hope these paintings can be put to good use by CANM!
Public Outreach Program #1: Valentines to the Monument
For my first public outreach program, I set up a demo table in the Visitor Center for 4 hours and shared watercolor tips and techniques. Since it was Valentine’s Day weekend, I asked visitors to create a Valentine to the monument, sharing what they love about this special place. The results were so fun!
Here are some photos from the event:
Public Outreach Program #2: Nature Journaling Workshop
On March 1st I gave a two-hour nature journaling workshop at the picnic area near the Visitor Center. This workshop required registration and filled up fast! It was capped at 15 but we had extra participants thanks to a local radio show promotion.
I gave a 30 minute presentation with 5 prompts for participants to try, then we all went for a walk to put the ideas into practice, and finally we all shared our work. (All supplies were provided thanks to funding from Southwest Colorado Canyon Alliance. I made mini nature journals out of heavy watercolor paper for everyone to use.)
