Blog

BLOG #10

SITTING ON A NAKED ROCK UNDER A BRIGHT BLUE SKY (WHERE ART & MEMORIES ARE MADE)
by Helen Becker

Sometimes the most exquisite thing can happen on a naked rock under a bright, blue sky, especially in Moab, Utah, where red rocks

are plentiful and the sky is usually a deep blue hue.

What can happen on a rock under blue skies? While participating in the Artist in the Parks program, Janet Buckingham, a Gallery Moab artist in Moab, UT, found life- changing memories for herself and for a young lady who came to paint with her.

The Artist in the Parks program involves engaging the public and encouraging them to create art that is inspired by the scenery in Arches and
Canyonlands National Parks; and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments. Onlookers buzz with questions about art and techniques. The creative climate is catchy. For the artist, challenges are many. Stamina is necessary to conquer the environment when painting equipment such as paint, brushes, pencils, easel and chair, must be carried to a viewpoint in one of these unique locations.

Janet participated in the artist program in 2018, but it seems like only yesterday. The story about her experience remains as fresh, relevant and impressive today as it did 3 years ago.

Janet told this story:
“One of the most memorable days I experienced happened while painting at the La Sal Mountain Overlook in Arches National Park. I had been alerted that three people were going to join me to paint. This was the first time I had ‘guests’ and they were already there when I arrived. A woman approached me, introduced herself and explained that her daughter and herself would be joining me. The mother quietly added, “my daughter is autistic and doesn’t talk much.”

A jolt of fear ran through me and I thought, ‘I can’t do this!’ I have no experience with autistic or special needs children in any setting, let alone entertaining and educating them about art. But there we were together on a naked rock under a bright blue sky. I had about 30 seconds to get over the fear and get on with it.

The daughter settled in beside me and chose her subject, which was mostly a big, bright blue, opaque sky with a little thread of red rocks beneath it. I gave her tips as we worked along together, but she decided to do her painting her own way, which, of course, I endorsed. As the session wore on I relaxed a bit with my student and began asking her questions about her life and hobbies. I learned she graduated from high school and aspired going to college. She told me about her dreams for the future, what her bedroom was like and what she would do with the painting back at home.

After about two hours the dad returned from a hike and joined us to paint. Suddenly the painting session was cut short by wild, intense winds. As we gathered our things to leave, the mother approached me with tears in her eyes. Her words brought tears to my eyes, too:

“I can’t tell you what this day has meant to us. I have never seen my daughter this verbal or this responsive with anyone.”

I cried all the way home.

There were many days when I left the park in tears. I was often overcome by the sheer joy of the experience and of spending time in the parks which I have loved so deeply for over three decades. The privilege and good fortune of my assignment as Artist in the Parks filled me with emotion and joy that’s hard to articulate. I just never expected such an amazing opportunity.”

Janet’s art making experience is expressed in her delicate and inviting watercolors of familiar scenes from the Moab area. These places are repeated in her charming handmade purses, prints, and notecards. Gallery Moab prides itself in being her chosen artistic home. See all of her work in the gallery located on Main St. in Moab, Utah.