Plein Air Painting on a Mountain Prairie: Art on the San Francisco Peaks

This day-long painting class for all levels will take place on Hart Prairie, at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. This location boasts prairies and aspen stands, which should be turning golden by the time we get there. Led by Dr. Gwendolyn Waring, artist and author of The Natural History of the San Francisco Peaks (and recent NHI speaker), participants will be steeped in both natural history and artistic inspiration.

We will sketch and paint landscapes, learn about the natural history of our subject, and enjoy fall on the mountain. Participants may bring whatever medium they like to work in or can explore painting for the first time with a loaner set of pastels and papers. We can sit on an old homestead porch, or paint at various locations on the Hart Prairie Preserve, a Nature Conservancy preserve. Bring lunch and snacks, and we can make hot tea and coffee in the homestead.

$75 - Van transportation from NHI included.

Masks are required while riding in the van.

Meet at NHI at 8 am; return at 6pm.

Bring a lunch to eat in the field.

Limit 14 participants

Gwendolyn Waring is an artist and ecologist based in Flagstaff AZ. Her background in biology, with studies in most of the larger ecosystems of the Southwest, culminated in writing two books on western natural history. As an artist, she paints landscapes in many of the areas she has studied, greatly informing the process of describing a place. Future projects include opening a new art gallery in Flagstaff and continuing to study and write about the region’s natural history.

Host or Publisher Natural History Institute