Providence Canyon

SITE DESCRIPTION
Providence Canyon: Stewart County, GA, 7miles west of Lumpkin
The great irony of this park is that from a biological standpoint, it is a geologic and natural tragedy. For the artist it is a stunning reveal of what may lie hidden beneath our feet. Providence Canyon is breathtaking for both its colorful range of soils; umber, maroon, red oxide, orange, yellow ochre, white, lavender, and blue grays, and for its variety of land formations; plateaus, cliffs, chasms, and pinnacles. 
Little did the farmers of the 1800's know that by leaving their fields fallow after harvesting, erosion would cause the sandy, clay soil to progressively form gullies, then ravines, and then eventually the canyons we see today. This ecological disaster, formed by rain water run-off, differs from other canyons which are usually formed by erosion from rivers. Located in the Coastal Plain, Providence Canyon is surrounded by a dry, deciduous forest which helps to curb the continual advance of erosion damage. Because the soil is so soft, those areas left unprotected by trees and understory are in a constant state of flux. A heavy rain can wash away pinnacles in a night, or cause further erosion of the canyon walls which can be as high as 150'.
The ancient history of this area is written through the examination of the soil. The top layer of the soil is a fine sand mixed with kaolin, a white clay. The middle layer is more colorful with cross-beds which are thinner layers of sand which run at an angle within the larger horizontal layers. Cross-beds are caused by strong currents of water which deposit the sand. They are stained yellow by limonite and purple by manganese. The next layer is a black and yellow mica rich clay. The canyon floor is orange and varies in composition from clay to bedded sand in masses. 

THE ARTIST'S PERSPECTIVE, 2014.04.20
Although we painted the canyon in April, a better view is possible in the winter when the deciduous trees lose their leaves and offer a more impressive, unobstructed vista. I would also assume that painting at sunrise and sunset would show spectacular color, accenting the warm range of soil colors against the cooler greens of the foilage. In the fall there would be even more color offerings. The rare plumleaf azalea which only grows in this region should not be missed when it blooms in late summer. 
This was an easy place to paint, with parking close to the rim, for those seeking nature but, not wanting an arduous hike. There are trails to the bottom of the canyon but, I am not sure if painting there would prove problematic; craning one's head upward and painting a cliff wall at close range. 
Providence Canyon stands as a testament to man's destructive influence on the environment. However, it is interesting to note that this permanent altering of the environment occurred even with native Americans. Mountain tops and ridges were deforested for planting crops, destroying the habitat of old growth forests. Fishing weirs of stone were constructed in rivers, and some still survive today. Mounds, like those of Kolmoki, were constructed from surrounding soils. In areas of high flood risk, where somewhat domesticated animals grazed, an area of higher land was amassed to keep them safe and contained during a flood. So it continues but, the march towards destruction advances at a more aggressive pace now, giving us greater cause to cherish the natural spaces that still remain. That is why I paint and write this blog. 
We had great weather and the wind, as it rose from the canyon, was cooling. I was glad I used my umbrella for protection from the sun. Kendall Portis, Mayte Parsons, Myrtha Vega, and myself, Nancy Hunter, made the 2 1/2 hour drive down. It took at least an hour to scout for a good location to paint as most of us had not been there in a while. Such a beautiful panorama left us all wanting more time to paint this complex setting.

Nancy Hunter, 'Providence Canyon', Oil/Canvas, 8 x 16"

  

Kendall Portis, 'View from Above', Oil/Canvas, 8 x 10"

Mayte Parsons, 'Providence Canyon I', Oil/Canvas, 10 x 10"

Mayte Parsons, 'Providence Canyon II', Oil/Canvas, 10 x 10"

Myrtha Vega, 'Providence Canyon Rim View I',
Pen & Ink/Paper, 9 x 12"

Arabia Mountain

SITE DESCRIPTION

Arabia Mountain: Dekalb County, GA

Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain, and Stone Mountain are examples of one of the more unique geological features close to Atlanta. The granite monadnocks located in the Piedmont eco-region are more numerous in Georgia than any other state. A monadnock can be a flat area, a knob, or a small mountain that rises from a surrounding flat or gently sloping area. Geologists are uncertain how they are formed exactly but, they have postulated that they may have their origins in either volcanic activity, or weathering. In the case of weathering, the presumption is that a softer rock or soil was eroded, exposing a denser and more tightly jointed rock underneath. Arabia Mountain is marked by both light bands of igneous rock and darker bands of metamorphosed sentiment. 

A hot dry climate (at times as hot as 122 degrees) prevails as a result of an ecosystem in which shallow or non existent soil prevents trees, bushes, and undergrowth from establishing roots. Lightening strikes are frequent but, the resulting fire is usually short-lived due to the sparseness of vegetation. Succulents, cactus, and lichens, vegetation more akin to the southwest, thrive here. Both the vernal pools (standing pools of water with rimmed sides) and the solution pits (shallow pools with a gravel bed) experience spells of drought. Velvety mosses, the striking red, diamorpha and other plants unique to this ecosystem are zonal in their natural growing habit.

THE ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE

With its easy access, unlike Panola Mountain, and with the vegetation not as heavily trafficked as Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain in many ways offers a more paint-able landscape. Small stands of vertical trees contrast the expansive rock planes and hills. The large boulders that dot the mountain give mass as they are contrasted against an expanse of sky. Sweeping vistas (which are so rare in our heavily forested region), numerous standing pools of water, and arcing swaths of low growing vegetation, offer an alternative to the “wall of green” that we painters so often feel enclosed by in Georgia. Where ever you turn here, inspiration will find the artist or nature lover.

THE PAINTING EXPERIENCE, 2015.03.08.

Junko Ono Rothwell, Linda Ely, and myself, Nancy Hunter, painted on site on one of the few sunny days we’ve had in many weeks. Visitors were heavy that day but, I always welcome the crowds because I feel safer with more people. The wind was not too bad but, increased in voracity as the day wore on. A trek to the top of the mountain was not too, taxing and proved rewarding as the heavy rains left many standing pools of water there. The diamorpha had just recently made its appearance and was not yet showing its white flower.

Nancy Hunter, 'Arabia Mountain; the Frog Pond', Oil/Canvas, 8 x 16"

Junko Ono Rothwell, 'Diamorpha Blooming at Arabia Mountain,
Oil/Canvas, 11 x 14"

Linda Ely, 'Respite before Summit', Oil/Canvas, 11 x 14"

Cloudland Canyon

SITE DESCRIPTION
Cloudland Canyon: Dade county, GA
Located in the northwest corner of Georgia in the Cumberland Plateau/Ridge and Valley, Cloudland Canyon is certainly worth the trek, despite the variation in elevation at 800-1,800'. For those less hale and hearty, scenic views of the gorge and the eastern views of Lookout Mountain can be painted from atop the gorge near the parking area. However, you will miss some of the most awe inspiring, paintable sights. The 'Cherokee Falls' waterfall is the closest from the rim, and the descent down the numerous steps affords the artist many wonderful sights. Calcareous cliffs (steep vertical cliffs of high levels of calcium) line the descent to the bottom of the gorge. Numerous rock houses (shallow caves) can also be seen. Cross your fingers for luck as you pass eerily under a huge, grand boulder. At the trail end, a waterfall cascades down a huge semicircular cliff wall of shale and limestone, and empties into a semicircular pool of blue green water. When I visit sights like this, I can't help but wonder how long have people visited here, and how different their experience might have been. 
We painted the area around the 'Cherokee Falls'. However, 'Hemlock Falls' is also a dramatic waterfall. Dade county has numerous, extensive caves; Case Cavern being one near Cherokee Falls. Turbulent water coursing around, and cascading over the large boulders can be seen from many different vistas, including a pedestrian bridge that traverses Sitton Gulch, Couldland Canyon's former name. Scour zones which are unusual sights in Georgia can also be seen. These are areas where periods of heavy drought are interspersed with intense flooding. Erosion, resistant sandstone rock is exposed as a result of the vegetation being prevented from taking a foot hold. A hike to the opposite side, shows remnants of the infrastructure for a tightrope walk across the gorge. 

THE PAINTING EXPERIENCE, 2015.1.20
This was a two and half hour car ride to the park. We packed light because we knew this would be a difficult journey back to the top of the gorge. I think we impressed ourselves with our stamina. It was about 15 degrees colder at the bottom than at the rim. Packing a lunch was also a necessity. Junko Ono Rothwell, Kendall Portis, Peter Ho, and myself, Nancy Hunter, were the artists painting that day. 

Nancy Hunter, 'Cloudland Canyon; The Cherokee Falls', 
8 x 16", Oil/Canvas

Junko Ono Rothwell

Junko Ono Rothwell, 
'Waterfall at Cloudland Canyon', 
14 x 11", Oil/Canvas

Junko Ono Rothwell, 
'Cloudland Canyon',
12 x 9", Oil/Canvas

Kendall Portis

Kendall Portis, Oil/Canvas

Peter Ho

Peter Ho, Oil/Canvas

Peter Ho, Oil/Canvas