It would be so easy to write a couple of pages about this sketch and
the family homestead in Chelan, Washington;
I'll try and keep it shorter.
The family ranch was homesteaded in 1901 and
located some 15 miles north of Chelan. As a young teen, I spent my summers in
Chelan working in the apple orchards (thinning) and staying with relatives both
in town and at the ranch, a gift that only years later did I realize was
priceless and too often taken for granted.
Currently the family is working hard to
change this canyon into a wedding ceremonial site. What was a canyon floor
planted with alfalfa, has been transformed into a beautiful and naturally
landscaped setting for marital unions complete with willow trees whose leaves
in the afternoon subtle breeze is just as likely to put you in a meditative
state (in my case sleep) especially if you were sketching. The planted grass
canyon floor is a stark contrast to the brutally picturesque and stunning
canyon walls that frame this remote piece of heaven.
This visit was a 4th of July family
reunion complete with skillfully barbequed meats and every traditional type of
side dish possible. I was able to take advantage of the time before the food
was ready to take a stroll down the canyon to sketch; I had already picked a point
of view from a family walk earlier. I sat down and was joined by the family
heard of horses who originally thought I might have some food for them all, but
settled for grazing around me as I sketched.
This sketch was done about half way to the wedding site looking back to the ranch. Pen and ink in a Stillman & Birn beta watercolor sketchbook.
As soon as I heard the
dinner bell (actually a triangle) some half mile up canyon, this sketch was
over.....there are very few things in my life that might trump the creative process
- hunger for a good home cooked meal is one of them.
