Painted on location in Canyon de Chelly, Thursday Sept 24, 2009 at approximately 9-11:30 am.

I was on my way to Spider Rock with Walter Porter (an incredibly talented plein air painter) when we both spotted this scene. Though we were in separate cars, I think we hit the brakes at exactly the same time. It was that special. The overlook which we set up on was off the main access to the usual view. However, when the other sightseers would see us painting, many of them came down to see just what it was that the crazy artist were painting. Luckily for me, Walter took the brunt of the visitors and talked their ears off, so much so, that by the time they made it over to me, they didn't have much to say. Thanks Walter!! I have a better painting because of you!!

The name of the painting comes from a line in the Navajo Blessing prayer, here it is in it's entirety.


In beauty may I walk.
All day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons may I walk.
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With grasshoppers about my feet may I walk.
With dew about my feet may I walk.
With beauty may I walk.
With beauty before me, may I walk.
With beauty behind me, may I walk.
With beauty above me, may I walk.
With beauty below me, may I walk.
With beauty all around me, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk.
It is finished in beauty.
It is finished in beauty