Desert Bloom at DeGrazia, Tucson

Here is one of my recently completed artworks, "Desert Bloom at DeGrazia, Tucson". Created with color pencils, it depicts the gated path leading up to the DeGrazia Art Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
You can find more of my artworks on my Melissa Enderle Artwork Facebook page or on my website.

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Yellow Bird Dancer at Horseshoe Bend

My latest - a color pencil of an Apache Yellow Bird Dancer, set amidst the beautiful Horseshoe Bend. In just over a week, I will see them perform and will hopefully get more information so I can write an accurate story about the dancer.

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Down the Path of Yesteryear: Teton Ken and his Burro

My latest artwork, of Teton Ken and his belated Daisy, set against the magnificent Superstition Mountains. If you are in the Apache Junction area of Arizona, be sure to stop at this gem of a museum. Teton Ken will be lecturing about the Lost Dutchman and his mine on January 4, 2018.

Down the Path of Yesteryear: Teton Ken and his Burro. Color pencil ©2017 Melissa Enderle

Them there mountains have been such a big part of my life. How many times have I meandered up the narrow paths of the Superstitions, flanked by jumping cholas, saguaros, and the occasional Palo Verde tree. Daisy has done it so many times that she can navigate nearly by herself–great for feller’s eyes like mine that get cloudier all the time.

In my younger years, I used to do some prospecting up in them thar hills. Them’s years are over, both for me and these rocks. Not as quick as I used to be, I stick to the path. Less of a chance to encounter a rattler or bobcat, but they still are here as well. That’s why I carry this gun. Done for the day, I’m ready to head back into town. A cold beer sounds good right now. And some oats for ol’ Daisy. 

See more of my artworks at www.melissaenderle.com 

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Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

On our way to Antelope Canyon, we stopped for a short visit to Horseshoe Bend.  Although it is located only five miles from the beginning of the Grand Canyon National Park, the weather was remarkably different from our visit to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon just a day earlier. 

To reach the famed spot, we walked about 3/4 a mile off of Highway 89. The soil here was very sandy, its red-orange color contrasting sharply with the blue skies above. Not a tree in sight.

In a few places, people had created sculptures with the rocks.

The sandstone rocks were quite weathered, sculpted by wind and rain.

A boat makes its way around the bend

Once at the lookout point, we were afforded a breathtaking view of the Colorado River 1,000 feet (305 meters) below, curving its way around the Navajo sandstone. In addition to taking the classic shot of the bend, I took some alternative views. 

A bridal couple posed for some photos. A drone (even though signs explicitly stated that drones were forbidden) buzzed overhead, taking additional shots. 

If you are visiting the Grand Canyon or Antelope Canyon, this stop is worth your time! 

via Instagram

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Zhiyun Monastery - A Grand View

Although the intricate details of the Zhiyun Monastery captured my attention, I was also drawn to the grand view that presented itself at different points while walking up its different levels. I particularly loved this view,  an incredible combination of red/golden doors with the distant Lashi Lake landscape. A great blend of artistry by God and by man.

A similar view to the photo above, minus the frame of the door. Here we can see more of the mountains near Lashi Lake.

The saturated yellow of the monastery, alsong with some prayer flags

A symmetrical composition of the monastery living quarters, with the mountains and wide-open skies beyond the flags.

The temple buildings in the upper section of the monastery. Some areas were under repair, due to recent roof leaking.

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The Beauty of Rain, Yunnan region

While traveling by car to the village of Shaxi in the Yunnan of China, we encountered several heavy rains. The build-up of the clouds became quite apparent that rain would soon come. Portions of the mountains became partially obscured where downpours occurred. 

Mists and low clouds formed, contrasting with the emerald-green rice paddies.

Sometimes patches of blue sky managed to peek between the clouds. Workers in the fields or doing construction on the roads (as in the photo above) continued on with their manual labor.

Even if the cloudy skies persisted, the views were still beautiful. 

Anything beats the polluted, hazy skies I later saw in Beijing....

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Rural WI Walk

Walking along the hilly rural Wisconsin countryside is an enjoyable summer thing to do. Right now, the wild dill is quite abundant, along with some Queen Anne's Lace.

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Those Changing Rocks

If the artist Claude Monet had visited the USA, the rocks of Sedona would have been a "must see." Having so carefully studying the changing light and appearance of the Rouen Cathedral over a series of over 30 canvasses, he would have been fascinated by how changeable the Sedona landscape was, depending on the time of day, height of the sun, and weather. The first afternoon we arrived in Sedona, the weather was crappy - snowy, windy, and overcast. The famous red rocks were partially obscured by the falling snow and were rather flat with little contrast.

The next morning, the sky was a brilliant clear blue. On the sides illuminated by the sunlight, the rocks looked as if they were sculpted, ranging from bright terra-cotta highlights to deep warm shadows on parts away from the sun's direction. Driving past the same rocks in the late afternoon, the play of lights and shadows painted a totally different scene. Although I am primarily a portrait artist, I would definitely feel compelled to study and paint these rocks if I stayed here longer. Such diverse beauty of God's creation.

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Tonto Natural Bridge

Located near Payson, Arizona, the Tonto Natural Bridge is the world's largest travertine bridge. As its name implies, this is a naturally-forming bridge, composed of a type of limestone deposited by mineral springs, particularly hot springs. The water is highly alkaline and contains particles of calcium carbonate in it, which settles and coats surfaces. Algae and vegetation roots help provide structural support for the aerial deposit of the travertine, much like how icicles form. The terraced Mammoth Hot Springs at Yellowstone is another, more famous example of a travertine formation.  The bridge is 183 feet high, standing over a 400 foot long tunnel that is 150 feet at its widest point. 

The park has several hiking trails and some picnic benches - perfect for our winter lunch!

 At one time the water gushed down to help form the bridge. Now it trickles down.

The icicles formed on the rock and dead tree were beautiful and helped complete a slightly other-worldly effect.

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Geunjeonjeon Throne Room

It is in the Geunjeongjeon throne hall that the kingdom's state affairs took place, including meetings, foreign envoy meetings, and coronation ceremonies. 

Note the painted folding screen behind the throne. The sun and moon represent the king and queen, while the five peaks stand for a mythical place. The Irworobongdo screen displayed the splendor of the Joseon royal court. 

As always, it's important to look up. Look how beautifully decorated the lofty ceilings are decorated.

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The HILL

Our school is up on a hill. At one time, it was a cemetery, but it has since been removed. The site offers great view of the city below, but gives one second thought before schlepping stuff when walking back up. Walk up and down (perhaps a few times) this hill, and you have a nice cardio workout. 

There is a grocery store within walking distance, but many teachers choose items at the store and then take advantage of the free delivery. 

Somehow these photos don't quite capture the steepness of the hill, but hopefully you'll believe me anyway.

Bottom of the hill, right by Chicago Pizza (which I hear doesn't really taste like Chicago-style pizza)

Up the first steep portion, looking down. Can't even see the bottom.

After the middle section which gives a short respite, the second steep portion by the school (see the guard's pagoda and the red-striped school building) is yet to come.

To reach the apartments, there are more inclines to go. My apartment building is on the right, pictured here.

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Grains and Grasses

Another field photo, just on the other side of the large hill. This region of Wisconsin has a landscape influenced by the glaciers that once went through the area. Makes great sledding and fast (downhill) biking!

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Hari Parbat Hill and Fort

Having spotted the fort on the hills surrounding the old city, I was glad we would have a chance to go a bit closer. We stopped at the ruins of a Mughal-style building below the fort. Developed by the Afghan governor Atta Mohammad Kahn, the fort was enlarged to its present size in the 19th century. From the vantage point at the ruined building, we had a panoramic view of the old city, with its corrugated tin roofs, mosque pagoda spires, still-bare trees, and Dal Lake. Falcons encircled high above, screeching as they searched for food. 

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A Panorama of Pagodas

Climbing up the stairs to the top of a larger temple, we had a panoramic view of the landscape. Beautiful ancient temples jut forth from the rather flat bushy landscape, dotted by smaller pagodas poking their tapered peaks everywhere, populated like bunnies. These smaller structures were erected as funerary monuments or to honor a notable person/important family. Early morning fog, coupled with an overcast sky, shrouded the scene in mysticism and ancient splendor.

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Sigiriya Rock Summit

 

About an hour and a half after beginning my ascent, I had arrived at the summit. The foundations of many buildings and pools remained, giving an idea of how extensive the place was. A stone bench looked quite tempting to sit down on, but a sign forbade it, saying it was a royal throne. From here, there was an uninterrupted view of the landscape below – and what a spectacular view it was! Past the heavily forested land with small lakes and then a mountain lay the city of Kandy. Just barely visible in another direction was the Gold Buddha statue of Dambulla.

After soaking in the surroundings and climbing up and down some of the buildings’ stairs, I headed back down. Along the way, I stopped by Cobra Hood Cave with a remnant of decorative fresco, a platform that was an audience throne, and through a natural arch. Much quicker than expected, I had reached the bottom and had plenty of time to swim and relax at the hotel.

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Nine Arches Bridge, Ella

Back in Ella with plenty of time before lunch (I was invited to Kasun’s house to eat), we got out of the auto rickshaw at the spot where logging was occurring. Alas, no tea picking was going on today in Ella either. Instead, we walked on a path through the forest following a stream until we reached what is known as “Nine Arches Bridge.” This landmark railway bridge was built by the British to help haul timber, tea, and other resources from the region. Next to the railway, a cow, tied to a tree, happily munched on grass, its bell tinkling. People were walking on the tracks, familiar with the timings of the trains. The high arches – all nine of them – were slender and graceful. Near the tops of the arches were large beehives. The insects, explained Kasun, chose this area knowing they wouldn’t be disturbed by people or animals.

Out in the sun, the temperature was warm, so we headed back into the shade of the forest. Retracing our path, we headed back into town where I picked up a clay pot of fresh curd (a favorite of Kasun’s mother) and then went to his house. There we had a meal of rice, green beans, dahl, fish curry, pampadam, and curd. After watching a “Dennis the Menace” Christmas movie borrowed from the cousin and looking at Kasun’s stamp collection and newspaper clippings of the civil war, I once again thanked the family for their generous hospitality and went to the hotel. Shortly thereafter, the Sri Lankan hotel guest family and I were invited to the birthday party of the hotel owner’s daughter. Although not hungry, I joined the others in having a piece of cake. Now how often does that happen in large-town hotels? Had I known about the birthday party, I would have skipped the evening meal, but I still did have some beef curry, vegetables, potatoes, and shredded carrots.

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Tea hill and landscape

Tea hill and landscape, originally uploaded by melissaenderle.

Here are some photos of my travels through the hill station region around Ella, Sri Lanka. Lush, verdant beauty!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissaenderle/sets/72157625190521150/ 

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Arrival at Lisu tribe festival

The next morning after more rice, greens, dried soybeans, and of course more tea, we said goodbye to our hosts and moved onward into the hills. Tee’s father came along, as he wanted to visit some relatives and friends in the hill village. On the way, we stopped to pick up a village resident friend of Tee’s father. Both older individuals shared a fondness of chewing paan, had their teeth blackened, and talked animatedly in the Akha language.

On the way to the Akha village Tee spotted a cloth sign fluttering in the breeze that promoted an annual festival of the Lisu hill tribe people. Able to speak some Lisu, he was able to inquire of some Lisu people walking alongside the road that the festival was indeed happening today. It was the last day of the three-day festival, but there should be some things going on. Traveling on a narrow hilly dirt road, we passed by some trucks with Lisu people in the truck bed who were traveling away from the festival location. Tee explained that some Lisu people would have traveled for over five hours to attend the festival, with some perhaps even coming from Burma (Myanmar). Yesterday, over 3,000 Lisu were in attendance. The school grounds in the village of Ban Doi Lan (meaning “million mountains”) was the site of the festival. Tee introduced me to one Lisu woman who spoke fairly good English. She was one of the organizers of the festival and saw it as a key opportunity to celebrate and promote the Lisu culture. Like Tee, she expressed a concern for the disappearance of her culture and language. One of her ambitions involved utilizing the internet as a tool for educating others about the Lisu culture and as a way for Lisu people to keep in touch with each other.

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Elderly Farmer, Aranđelovac (Watercolor)

It’s been a long spring, made lonely by the passing of my beloved wife this past January. If only I had had enough money to buy her the needed medicine for her pneumonia, she probably would be here with me now. She made the best kaymak, which I loved to place on freshly baked bread. Now I am alone on this farm with my animals, a few chickens, three pigs, and two cows. My daughter tries to visit me when she can, but I usually have to be satisfied with her phone calls. She always brings some food I can warm up in the oven and remarks at how thin I’ve gotten since Mamma died. Indeed, as I look down at my hands, made wide from years of hard physical work, I see how thin the skin has become. I will need to gather strength in order to harvest the hay.
Today I had some visitors. Why God had blessed me with visitors today, I’m not quite sure. After showing them my barn and summer kitchen, we entered my house. I felt so ashamed that I didn’t even have some rakiya to offer these guests to drink. They just repeated that they wanted to hear about my farm and me. I showed them photos of my wedding, a picture of me as a young boy, and my parents as well. After I explained that the certificate on the wall was for my service as a chetnik fighter in WWII, they insisted that I stand next to it and be photographed. Before they left, one of the American visitors gave me a strange blue cap and insisted that I try it on. It was much too big and not nearly as comfortable as my trusty old shajkaca. Once again, tears streamed down my eyes. I wished I had something to give these kind visitors. Now they too are gone, exploring more of rural Serbia. I hope my daughter calls tonight, for I can’t wait to tell her about my American guests.

Artwork available for sale. 
Blank greeting cards can be purchased at Zazzle

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Pulling the Olive Net (Color Pencil)

It is now April and we are at the end of our harvesting season. I have been shaking the olives from these trees in the same manner as my forefathers did. It is so rewarding to see these black pearls fall into the net, weighing it down so much that several men in my family must help pull the net. Our ancient trees have once again yielded much, thanks to the blessings of Allah.

Artwork available for sale. 
Blank greeting cards can be purchased at Zazzle

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