While I had toyed with the idea of also visiting some of the national parks in Utah, I felt like I was always trying to figure out how to also get back to Sedona in the same trip.  My aunt said that the deep pull I felt to Sedona was something too rare and specific to ignore and that we should just centre our trip around Sedona.  This reaffirmed what I was already feeling and I was so grateful for her revelation.

What made this trip so special was that my aunt gave me free reign to plan the itinerary from the crack of dawn hikes to the restaurant choices.  She felt that this trip was bigger than just a fun place for us to visit, but a chance for me to connect to a place on a spiritual level and truly be present.  Her selflessness and open heart allowed me to live out my dream of breathing in nature and connecting with myself, something that I don’t often get to do.  She was the perfect companion for this trip and I’m so glad I got to share this special time with her.  

I chose to paint Cathedral Rock for my latest painting because it was the first hike my aunt and I did and one of my favourite’s.  It is a short but steep hike, rising up over 300 miles across and under a mile of terrain.  It is a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts because of its awe-inspiring beauty.  

Sedona is home to many powerful vortexes and Cathedral Rock is also one of them.  A vortex is a place that carries intense vibrations within the earth and they are found all over the world, especially at sacred sites.  Standing in the presence of this energy is supposed to bring calm, peace, and spiritual rejuvenation.  In particular, Cathedral Rock is known for its feminine energy.  This type of energy is thought to spiral down into the earth and bring emotional strength, compassion, and self-care.  Many people note that the vortex is located to the left of the “End of Trail” sign at the top of the hike.  

While I definitely felt the power, energy, and peace of these towering spires, I’m not sure there was one specific spot where I felt an onslaught of energy.  The entirety of Sedona feels like a big vortex site.  Many hikers find that finding a quiet spot to sit still and meditate can awaken a connection with one’s self and the vortex energy at hand.  Indeed, reaching the apex of the hike and taking in the gorgeous vistas allowed for many moments of gratitude, introspection, and calm.  Its beautiful red rocks and majestic sandstone monoliths felt like ancient elders presiding over their onlookers, and I felt blessed to be in their presence. 

It was difficult to choose one photograph that best represented Cathedral Rock and in the end, I chose my photo that had the “End of Trail” sign, massive buttes and panoramic view in the background.  I liked how the sun kissed the left side of the rocks and that they cast a dramatic shadow on the vista in the background.  The “End of Trail” sign encapsulated the elation my aunt and I felt at having reached the summit and acted as a good focal point to settle on after taking in the beauty of the red rocks.  

This was probably my most challenging painting to date as it was a zoomed out photo of a landscape.  I usually paint magnified views of Arizona canyons or portraits, so capturing the intense details of the intricate cliffs, rocks, and greenery at Cathedral Rock was definitely a change in course for me.  The shrubs, trees and grasses that were sprinkled in the landscape of Cathedral Rock were new to me as a painter and allowed me to grow more as a result.  While I thought keeping this at a smaller 24” x 20” canvas would simplify the process of painting such an involved composition, I found the sheer intricacies of the piece were almost as time-consuming as a piece twice the size.  I definitely have a greater appreciation now for artists who paint expansive landscapes.

While this painting challenged me in ways I could have never imagined, it will always hold a special place in my heart:  it reflects a wonderful trip I was able to take with my aunt in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.  Cathedral Rock challenged us along the way but gave us a wonderful gift at the end of its trail:  beauty, gratitude, peace and a deep connection to self and nature.  And for that, I am forever grateful.