Hi Everyone,
Yes, it has been a while since I have blogged. I did participate in the Brenham Art League Show which was in February. I received 1st place in the Pastel division for "Great Egret with Full Plumage", 3rd place for "That's Close Enough" and 1st Honorable Mention for "Matagorda Dunes". It was a great show with lots of wonderful artist.
In May, I organized a trip to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge located next to Lawton and Medicine Park, Oklahoma. I chose this place because I used to live in and around the surrounding area. My parents used to take me and my brothers to the Refuge all the time. In those days you could camp for free and swim in many of the lakes. Today you can only camp or swim in certain areas, and you have to have a permit ahead of your arrival. My husband, children and I used to hike the mountains; and is still a favorite for all of us. I wanted to share this glorious place with my painting friends, so I invited a group of Plein Air painters that I usually go with. There was five painters including myself. Our accommodation were wonderful as we rented a lovely house, just down from main street in Medicine Park.
We arrived around 5:30 in the evening, making our 1st stop at the famous Meers Store & Restaurant. They are known for their Meers Burgers. Once a bustling town of miners seeking gold in the Wichita Mountains, all that remains of the town of Meers now is our world renowned family restaurant of the same name. Meers population has dwindled from the gold rush peak of 500 down to the present residents: one family of six people, eight cats and a dog. The Meers Store and Restaurant has became famous for our Meersburger, a 7" diameter burger made exclusively from prize winning Texas Longhorn beef raised on the family's own ranch. Beef that is actually lower in cholesterol than chicken!
After our wonderful meal, we still had a little daylight left, so we drove on top of Mtn. Scott. The sun was setting, and the wind was getting chilled. The view was magnificent as you could see everything including a beautiful sunset. The natural attractions of the refuge are many and varied. In addition to viewing and photographing wildlife in their natural setting, you will find lakes, streams, canyons, mountains and grassland.
Our first day out we headed to the riverwalk on Main Street in Medicine Park. They were so excited with what they saw that we could hardly get out tripods and easels out fast enough. Along the riverwalk, you see two waterfalls with the mountain in the background and bridges that go across the water and houses that hang on the side of the hill. We drove around so that we can see where we would like to paint next. Lots of Longhorn Cattle and Buffaloes. The wildflowers were just beginning to open. Of course our cameras were out and ready as someone was always saying "Stop", click, click. So much beauty to take in.
I had friends from Lawton that came to eat at "The Plantation" in Medicine Park, and we played games for the rest of the evening. What fun seeing and visiting with my wonderful friends.
As much hiking as my husband and I did in our younger years, I had never heard of the "40 foot Hole", so we talked with the Park Rangers, and he convinced us that it would not be a difficult climb. The next morning we were off on our new adventure. Now I was not experienced in hiking with 20 lbs. on my back!! I did not have a back pack to put my "sienna" easel, brushes, camera and water in. Plus I carried my tripod as well. So I ended up putting these things into my overnight duffle bag and carrying it instead of what I brought. I was not alone, another artist used a small ice chest that she attached to her belt and carried her painting gear that way. One artist didn't wear the correct shoes, so she stayed by the river and painted while we went on our journey. Big Lesson Learned. Even though I had the correct things for Plein air painting, it was to heavy for plain air hiking/painting. So my plan is to find something much lighter weight so I will always have what I need.
Of course the rangers said beware of snakes!! Guess who almost stepped on a black snake? Yep, it was me. I can't tell you how scared of snakes that I am. We saw each other at about the same time. I started backtracking real quick, saying Snake.
That afternoon, we toured the "Holy City". This is also is in the refuge. They do two plays a year. One is always at Easter. People bring their chairs and sit on the small hill while watching the play.
My friends were so thrilled to see that Oklahoma had such beauty. We all agreed that 3 nights just wasn't long enough.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my adventure. If you would like to see some pictures, please visit: http://joaneure-artist.blogspot.com
Blessings,
Joan
