Friends –

Since I am currently in the middle of the Moab Plein Air event (aka Red Rock Art Festival), I had better report on what happened last month at the Escalante Art Festival where I did manage to get in four paintings. I arrived late and really only had two days to paint and I was fatigued. Still, I am not unhappy with the output.

The Escalante festival always fills my heart because it is in such a lovely part of the country that gets deep into my soul. And the event is one of the best ever -- so fully supported by the community. There are talks by important people and movies about important things (this year, The Colorado River) and demonstrations and workshops….. and (of course) the plein air competition.

But Escalante is also where bitter feelings are building because of the attacks to wilderness by the current white house. Enough said, as it is too painful.

So here are my four paintings…. 'All Cracked Up', 'Highway Thru Heaven', 'Moon over George', and 'Steve's Truck'. I would bet that you can figure out which ones are which. Two of these are already in their new homes, and the last one (Steve's Truck) is spoken for, but not yet delivered. I also 'sold' one of my overflow quick draw paintings from two years ago – 'Slot Canyon Road'. The full sale amount of these paintings will benefit the 2019 Everett Reuss Days and Escalante Arts Festival.

Now on to do more for Moab. Something I can share with you soon….

Margie Lopez Read

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