Winding Narrows Canyon – Behind the Scenes

I had been wanting to paint the Narrows in Zion National Park for a while. Ever since I visited the towering red cliffs and the winding river, I was captivated by the beauty and calm of this place.

I remember stepping into the water, feeling the coldness and the current. The water level was low enough that I could walk without much difficulty, but I still had to be careful of slippery rocks and sudden changes in depth. I looked up and saw the walls of the canyon rising above me, narrowing as I went further upstream. The colors were amazing: shades of red, orange, pink, and brown, contrasted by the blue sky and the green vegetation.

I walked for about two hours, stopping occasionally to take photos and admire the scenery. I passed by landmarks, such as Wall Street, and found a spot on a big boulder to enjoy the amazing view of the canyon while I ate my lunch. The canyon looked different in this light, dramatic and more serene.

With my painting, I tried to capture the essence of the Narrows: the curves of the river, the shapes of the rocks, the textures of the walls, the reflections of the light. I used vibrant colors to express the energy and mood of the place.