20 meals / 2 hotel nights / Canyon Permits
5 Camping nights / Equipment transport / Outfitting
Lots of Bottled Water / Navajo Canyon Guides / Fireside Storytelling

Canyon de Chelly, in Northeastern Arizona is a breathtaking site in the heart of the Navajo Nation. There are: Rock Arches and Spires, mysterious Petroglyphs and Rock Art; and multi-storied Anasazi Ruins tucked into the sheer sandstone walls.

Most of the Canyon is restricted access, but with our Navajo guides and permits for the week, we'll be able to go everywhere as a group.
You'll be inspired by: Sheer Rock Walls towering above ancient cottonwood trees; the Bluest of Skies mirrored in the murmuring stream that runs the length of the canyon; and Navajo Hogans and cornfields dotting the canyon floor. Camping in the Canyon itself, we will enjoy spectacular Sunsets and Sunrises. Evenings are spent around a campfire hearing Navajo tales and sharing the days' experiences.

Meals will be home-cooked, on site and will be fresh, hearty, and delicious. Our schedule will be to awaken to the smell of camp coffee, followed by a hearty breakfast.

All of your art, photography and camping gear will be brought in separately by truck. You supply art, photography and camping equipment. Detailed lists provided.

Students need to arrange their own transportation to Chinle, Arizona, at the mouth of the Canyon. (maps provided). Ride-shares can be arranged for those flying into Albuquerque, New Mexico. We will be providing a list to you of all participants and email addresses in plenty of time to contact each other if so desired.

No Previous Camping experience necessary.
This trip is set up for painters who are familiar with their equipment and experienced at plein air painting. It is a once in a life time opportunity to paint in this beautiful canyon with experienced guides and material support. We suggest small canvases and easy to manage supplies.

For a Painter, it is an extraordinary privilege to actually stay in the Canyon for an entire week.

This is virtually the only way to be there to capture the exquisite early morning light, the vibrant late afternoon rays, and the fleeting special moments during the day. It is the only way to let the inspiration of this magnificent place really soak in so you can paint it out with a vivid intensity that seems to flow through your fingers on to the canvas.

You can paint and draw right in camp, beneath towering red-rocks and golden cottonwoods. Or join us for the excursion to each day's chosen site. We will be accompanied by guides every place that we go.

Perhaps the famous 'White House' beckons, with its ancient buildings tucked high into the cliff, or, a more intimate site with hidden petroglyphs. Either way, you will have the option going there with the group. You are met at the site with all your painting stuff. Often the painters will choose to paint during the lovely morning light, then break for lunch. Early afternoons, when the sun is too directly overhead to create those enticing shadows, you may take a nap, and eat lunch.

Late afternoon always finds the painters intently back at their canvases. After a full day, you return to camp to smell dinner cooking while you share your paintings and discuss Life & Art with like-minded companions around a roaring campfire.

HOW DO I GET THERE ?

Students coming from a distance will fly into Albuquerque, New Mexico Airport, where you can rent a car for the four to five hour dive to Chinle, Arizona - in the heart of the Navajo Nation.
(e-mail addresses of fellow participants will be provided for those interested in arranging ride-shares).
Other airports within driving distance are: Denver, CO; Flagstaff, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. Plan to arrive on Saturday afternoon, for check in to the BEST WESTERN hotel and our opening group Dinner at 7 PM that night. We start bright and early Sunday morning, returning late Friday afternoon.
Best Western Canyon de Chelly Inn:
http://www.bestwesternarizona.com/hotels/
best-western-canyon-de-chelly-inn/
Please note: AZ will be in a different time zone than NM during the Fall, but the Navajo Nation stays with NM time.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE ?

The Canyon is at an elevation of 6000 ft. in the 'High Desert' of the Four Corners Area. This means there will be a greater temperature spread between night and day than is experienced at lower elevations. We have chosen what we believe is the very best time of year for this trip: Days are Sunny, but not hot / There is usually no rain / The magnificent Cottonwoods are just starting to turn a breathtaking golden color while all other trees are still a beautiful green. The Gold & Green trees set off against Red Rocks are spell-binding against impossibly brilliant blue skies. Stars at night are awesome in clear skies. AVERAGE TEMPS: Daytime will be a pleasant 50's-60's-70's / Night-time: High 20's to Mid 30's.

WHAT DO I BRING ?

CAMPING SUPPLIES

We will be group camping at one central site throughout the canyon. Please familiarize yourself with the set-up of your equipment before arrival. You will need to bring a sleeping bag and a soft mat to put it on, as well as a pillow. The nights can be surprisingly cool once the sun goes down, so a warm sleeping bag is important. An individual light, such as a flashlight, is essential - a reading light is optional. The best kind are battery operated Please do NOT bring a kerosene lantern.

"It was such a luxury to have the Food, .... Potties, Equipment transport and Trash all taken care of - Deluxe Camping!"

• Sleeping Bag
• Tent small (with rain protection)
• Mat (Double Thermarest recommended)
• Pillow (small)

CLOTHING

A sturdy hat, with chin strap is good for sun protection. Bring 2 pairs of long pants for around the campfire at night, as the nights can be chilly. Shorts can be worn comfortably for our stationary 'art-times' but are optional. You should have both short as well as long-sleeved shirts, and a light jacket, & sweater, for evenings around the campfire. Pockets are wonderful! At this time of year, we are not likely to encounter rain but a Poncho is a good precaution. Bring enough changes of underwear and socks to last the week. For evenings around the campfire, we can utilize more comfortable, flat and sturdy, hiking type shoes. Only 2 pairs of shoes total, please.

• Hat
• Pants/Shorts
• Jacket
• Rain Poncho
• Underwear
• Shoes

ART SUPPLIES

Since this trip is designed for experienced plein aire painters, we assume you are already familiar with the materials you will need for this outdoor, wilderness, painting experience.

As you can see from the picture of the truck on the left, your equipment needs to be compact, and well protected for the bumpy ride to our campsite. Duffle bags are good.

For those of you flying into Albuquerque, you will not be permitted to fly with thinner so we will have a few cans of this available for group use. Also, we have three french easels available for rent ($50.00) if some of you find traveling with your own easel inconvenient. Please reserve these when you register.

There are virtually no art supplies available in Chinle. Your last opportunity to purchase supplies upon your arrival will either be an art supply store in Albuquerque on your way to Chinle on Saturday.
List of Art Supply stores in Albuquerque

• Portable Plein Aire Easel
• Paint Box
• Palette
• Clip on umbrella (optional)
• Stool (very small)
• Container for Thinner
• Paints
• Brushes
• Wet paint carrier
• Extra canvases (small)
• Rags/ paper towels
• Sketch book (optional)
• Pencils / charcoal (optional)

TOILETRIES

Drinking water will be hauled for us by the outfitters, and must be used sparingly as it is a precious resource in the West. Personal hygiene can be well maintained by daily 'sponge baths' in the privacy of your tent. In addition to soap & water, we recommend 'Baby Wipes' or pre-moistened towelettes. Our latrine will be an out-house. Sunscreen is essential as the sun shines very brightly dry in the high desert air. Insect repellent is a good precaution to have against occasional flies. Chapstick can be important in the desert air. Please bring sufficient amounts of any medication required as you'll be some distance from a major metropolitan area. Bottled water is provided.

• Towel
• Washcloth
• 'Wet Wipes'
• Personal Toiletries

OTHER

Our wonderful outfitters will transport all of our gear, both for camping and art, by truck to each new site. You will also need a small day pack (either a fanny-pack, or a small back-pack) to carry water and a few other essentials with you. Please be familiar with the operation of your camera. It is suggested that you bring plenty of batteries and memory sticks for your digital camera, and plenty of film if this is what you prefer. It is suggested to leave your laptop at home. There is no electricity and the sand and wind is not good for laptops.
Sunglasses are an important protection against the bright light. A small notebook and a couple of pens/pencils can be very nice to keep a written journal with spontaneous sketches, in addition to your regular sketching materials which will be transported by truck.

• Day Pack
• (Optional) Camera
• Canteen
• (Optional) Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• (Optional) Notebook
• Sunscreen / Chapstick
• Flash-Light / Lantern
• Insect Repellant