Castle Rock by Troy Broussard
Artwork can be the best souvenir from travel, especially from an area renowned for its landscape or indigenous culture. Unfortunately, while in Moab, Utah, I rarely saw authentic Indian pottery in the shops—a group of lovely vases seen through a shop window, to my chagrin, revealed a stamp reading “Made in China.” I learned that locals were desirous of Moab becoming a stronger visual arts community. And a few painters did catch my eye for their unique flair and perspective for capturing the landscape.
One artist in particular was Chad Neihaus. And Moab has served to provide ample inspiration to fuel his passion for painting. His graphic landscapes are large and bold with a streamlined technique embodying the simplicity and relaxed attitude of the Moab mindset. And the scale of his images further speaks to the vast awe-inspiring landscape that inspires him.
Remnants of Eminence by Chad Neihaus
Walking around the town it is easy to stumble upon multiple galleries and shops. There is even a museum that combines art, culture, and past. The Museum of Moab, 118 E. Center St., is a small treasure extolling the history and indigenous art of Moab and Grand County. Their mission is to preserve and display the artifacts and information that promotes research, information, and education that accurately reflects the natural and cultural history of the area.
When you enter, it is requested that your entry donation be placed in a 1950’s pressure cooker ripped open by a bear! Campy? Yes. But it speaks to the core of the intensity and lightheartedness of this charming bastion of heritage in a sometimes transitory community. (Note to self: Never roast beef in a pressure cooker while camping in Utah.)
Put the admission fee into the bear mauled pressure cooker at the Museum of Moab.
The museum offers insight into the land, inhabitants and archeological wonders that define Grand County. From the geological wonders that created the area (collapsed salt anticlines causing million year old beach sediment to elevate), dinosaur bones and the petroglyphs of Anasazi and Fremont peoples. Prehistoric tools, baskets, pottery, and jewelry are also on display. The museum also offers Ute Indian artifacts, including rare ceramic pieces and beaded garments. Upstairs, visitors are charmed by a recreation of an early Utah home complete with piano, oil lamps, and wood burning stove.
In the 1950’s Moab became the center of Uranium mining. Mining and mineralogy exhibits explain where uranium is found along with antique mining tools and explanations of mining technology.
But one of the favorite exhibits for tourists is the Hollywood section with photos of movie stars and film crews at work amongst this unique landscape. Some stars who have worked in Moab include Tom Cruise, Jenna Davis, John Wayne, and many more. Once you’ve been to this part of the country you will recognize the landscape in so many different movies.
There is even a memorabilia display that features the torchbearer suit worn by one of the runner carrying the torch as it made its way through Moab for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Also note the painstaking topographical relief map of the entire region created by John Urbanek, made using balsa wood and a razor blade which took the artist 20 years to create, made in 20 sections.
It’s me painting on a cliff in Canyonlands National Park.
And, as usual, I was not without my traveling art kit. It is fun to see art when traveling, but it is also important to make art. And Manderson and I painted many days.
Our first experience was high on a ridge in Arches National Park. For our second session, a more ambitious endeavor, we set up on a cliff overlooking a section of Canyonlands National Park. I’m sure that we were a sight for the occasional passing hikers—two artists with a dog set-up in the sunny boulders. But the favorite spot we painted was from our campsite on Onion Creek, looking up at Castle Rock (a.k.a. Castleton Tower).
Artist Michael Anderson painting the rising moon by lamp light at Onion Creek.
As always, problems arise when engaging in plein air painting. Aside from adjusting to climatic conditions and acrylics instead of oils, the difficulty with painting such dynamic settings is the representation of glorious sights with paint, canvas, and human hands. We met an artist named Louise Seiler at the Overlook Gallery who summed it up well for us, “All you can hope to do is capture the mood.”
Manderson became increasingly frustrated with the changing light, vowing to gesso over his first two pieces. It even rained on us at Arches. And of course when looking out over such a splendid view it is humbling to see what the artist’s hand renders. But no matter the outcome there is something indescribably pleasurable for artists to paint together in nature, sharing stories and wine.
Canyonlands National Park by Troy Broussard
And rather than to invest in artwork from a gallery or purchase a vase at a boutique, the best souvenirs are the paintings I brought home. I gave a painting to each of my nephews and kept two for myself—I still have them on me wall!