Communing with the Canyon Description:
I was never one for spending time in nature nor did I ever really take time to truly experience nature in its rawest form. However, the first time I saw photographs of Antelope Canyon in Arizona, it was like Mother Nature herself invited me to find solace in the sanctuary of her cavernous walls.
When I finally got the chance to visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in 2023, the curvaceous sandstone walls were like seeing nature’s figure up close: her undulating lines, deep crevices, and warm hues did not disappoint. They quickly envelope you as you descend the long narrow staircases, the only way to access the canyon’s breathtaking depths. What awaits you at the bottom can only be described as extraordinary. As you take in the vastness of the walls, it feels like you are communing with nature at the most intimate level.
Lower Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo land, and the Navajo people believe that the slot canyons were created to fuse the physical and spiritual worlds. Being mindful that this is a sacred space before you enter is important and shows that you are respectful of the land and honour what it represents to its people.
Seeing and touching canyon walls that have been eroded over millions of years made me feel grounded in the Earth in a way that I have never experienced. As I walked through the winding slots, I felt like I was cradled inside Mother Nature’s ribcage: strong and sturdy walls expanded and contracted all around me, both summoning and protecting life. I found a quiet peace and sense of protection within these narrow passageways that I yearn to experience again.
Looking up at a teal-blue sky silhouetted by oranges, yellows, magentas, purples, and burnt siennas felt like looking into the window of heaven. And that is why I chose this particular photograph from my trip to paint. It is a reminder that nature is so much greater than what our gaze affords us to see. If we are present enough in our mind and our spirit, we can create opportunities to commune with nature and in this case, a canyon, and find serenity for our soul.