Dan and I flew to Jackson Hole, WY in early July for a week. Life Drawing workshop for me, fun and relaxation (and work,always) for him. We stayed in town which was great because we could walk everywhere from our hotel. The bottom photo shows me with Raven, a dog from the local shelter. We walked by the shelter one day (also the pet supply store) and saw a sign in the window: "Going for a walk? Our homeless dogs need walks to, come get one." So we stopped by and asked for the dog who was most in need of a walk, they gave us Raven, a beautiful shepherd/lab mix who was fun-loving and gentle. Many of their dogs are fostered and get picked up every night by their temporary families. There are a few who have no foster homes as yet, Raven was one. She wore a little jacket that said "adopt me" and we walked her around town hoping that someone would fall in love with her. Many did, actually, mostly children, (Raven loves kids) but, their parents said no. Dan tried to find a guitar to rent but there were no music stores that had rentals. HOWEVER, when we were walking Raven, she pooped on a lawn that was in front of a pawn shop. I went for the plastic bag in my pocket and found that it had vanished, so Dan went in to the pawn shop for a bag, and found about 100 guitars. The owner sold him one and told him when he was finished using it to bring it back and he would give him all but $20 back for the rental fee. Dan was sure it was all Raven's doing. Karma.
The middle photo above is Dan rafting down the Snake River (that's him right in front with his leg draped over). He had a great time - came home wet with a big smile on his face. Later we drove to the area on the river where they rafted. Gorgeous and overgrown with lavender, bright yellow and white wildflowers. The forest comes right down to the river edge. They (raft drivers) advised that if you fall in, swim to the right side of the river as the left is uninhabited and totally wild, no vehicle access. You could be there a long time (with the moose, elk, bears, squirrels, snakes, etc.) Many signs around warning of bear. What to do should you find one near you, etc. When we were hiking (in the Grand Teton National Forest) we (or at least I) were very aware of the fact that there are many bears here. Sightings of bear and moose are common, though the only wildlife we saw while there was a tiny frightened baby snake.
The top photo is of Michael Mentler who is the artist who led the workshop I attended. Jackson Hole has a wonderful art center and the workshop took place in their spacious studio which has wide views of the Tetons from the large windows. Mentler is a very gifted artist and competent instructor of life drawing. He reminds me of some of my old art school teachers. A little nuts, enormously passionate about drawing. I came home with a long list of books, several I already owned, and a list of tools, supplies, most I have but some nice new stuff I'd never used. Best tip was the toned textured brown paper (Aquabee Bogus) he uses. Not expensive and terrific to draw on. He also inspired me to return to the study of muscles and bones. I used to know the names so well, could draw from memory all the bones and exterior muscles, and then label them. Now I can't remember anything. I can draw them, just don't know their names anymore. I can barely remember my own name half the time.
Great trip but, as usual, happy to be home.
