Week 9: Valle Vidal and Van Art Supply Tour

The one where we finally slowed down for a bit.

Hello, dear reader! After last week’s intense schedule we decided to slow down and take it easy (you can get caught up on our travels to Santa Fe, Taos Pueblo, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and more here.)

Camping in the Valle Vidal

I’m writing this from our camp spot in Cimarron Campground in Carson National Forest at 9,300 feet — it’s just so beautiful here in the Valle Vidal (Valley of Life).

Shuree Pond, just a half mile hike from camp.

This is the view from our picnic table: Baldy Mountain framed by trees. I could sit and watch the light change on the mountain for hours.

Daytime temperatures have been in the low 70s and it’s been going down in the 40-50s at night. Feels so amazing compared to the hot, humid Austin, TX summers that I was used to! The negative? It’s monsoon season so it’s been raining almost every day. The storms can be intense but they blow over in no time and the low humidity means everything dries out super fast.

We’ve taken to going for a hike in the evenings to watch the sunset and look for elk. So far we’ve seen some amazing sunset skies — but we’ve only seen 2 elk this week!

This amazing view is only about a half mile from camp.

It’s been so cool to see Baldy Mountain under different skies. We can also see it from our picnic table, framed by trees.

August 1: so pretty and peaceful.

August 2: stormy skies — it started sprinkling before we got back to camp.

It never fails to lift my heart when we get back to camp and see the van waiting for us — I have to keep pinching myself that it’s not all a dream and this is our real life now. I feel so happy that we’re finally getting to do this after 4 years of planning and stress.

Our view from camp.

Our cozy cabin on wheels.

Residency at Valles Caldera National Preserve

I start my time as an Artist in Residence at Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico on Tuesday, August 6th — I’m so excited for that — cannot wait!

If you’re in the area, I’d love it if you joined me for a nature journaling workshop — here are the details:

Dates: Sunday, August 18, and Saturday, August 24
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station

Join artist-in-residence Lisa Spangler (that’s me!) for a nature journaling workshop on either August 18 or August 24! Through presentations, demonstrations, and guided practice, participants will learn the art of documenting discoveries in nature on paper with words and sketches. Take home what you create! All supplies will be provided. Click here for more info.

Speaking of nature journaling, this week I sketched a Gunnison’s mariposa lily in my perpetual journal — this is the first time I’ve seen one. They’re so beautiful!

I can’t get enough of these Gunnison’s Mariposa lilies — they stop me in my tracks every time I see one. Had to take some time to sketch one in my perpetual journal.

AdVANture Art Blog Post for Art Toolkit

So many of you asked how I store my art supplies in the van — and the Art Toolkit team asked me about it too! So I wrote up a blog post all about it — check it out here!

I also put together a quick video tour of the van — watch it over on Instagram or click on the image below:

Click to watch a super quick van tour video with some of my secret hiding places for art supplies!

One of my favorite kits is a Pocket Art Toolkit that I keep under the passenger seat so I can sketch on long driving days. I kept things super simple in this one and usually just do pen and ink sketches. Note: don’t sketch and drive y’all!

I’ve been focused on upping my tree game this summer and I think I’m finally getting the hang of it!

This Pocket Palette has two Large Mixing Pans filled with Daniel Smith Graphite Gray and Lunar Black— and I’ve been a blast using them on a Stillman and Birn Nova sketchbook. The graphite gray has a bit of shimmer in it — just like a graphite pencil — and the lunar back has some amazing granulation.

Here are the rest of the colors: hansa yellow medium, quinacridone magenta (Winsor & Newton, it's quin lilac in Daniel Smith), phthalo blue (green shade), chromium green oxide, colbalt turquoise light (also WN), organic vermillion and transparent red oxide.

I’m honored to be a Brand Ambassador for Art Toolkit and they’ve given me a code to share with you: use code LISAFAN10 for 10% off your purchase of an ArtToolkit, palette, or mixing pans.

When you make a purchase using the code I’ll receive a small commission at no charge to you. I truly appreciate your support. I’ve been using Art Toolkit palettes since 2018 and I don’t leave the van without one!

That’s it for this week!

Tomorrow we’re heading to Bandelier National Monument and then on to Valles Caldera National Preserve to start my residency — let the adventures continue!

Monsoon season in the Valle Vidal.