Indian Rain Pools

Indian Rain Pools

I have always been fascinated by the sculpturing of rock and sandstone by the inhabitants of the Arizona Strip country in southern Utah. Many of these indentations and holes, which are deep enough to grind seeds and shelled nuts, were made by the Navajo Indians many years ago.

My mother, also Miriam, and I hiked inland to a clearing near what is known as the Gap not far from Hurricane, Utah. I drove my pickup as far in as I could and unpacked my portable easel and watercolors, and then, four lively children from the truck.

It was a beautiful day in July when I painted this on location watercolor. The four kids set out to explore the turquoise sage, rabbit brush, and the ant hills which used to be a foot high!  Mimi, her nickname, which means 'grandma' in French, was just as excited as can be to tell me about the holes in the white sandstone rocks that collected rain when it fell.

"They used to be full of seeds, and the Dine, or Navajo women, would grind the seeds with oblong stones they could hold in their hands, until they had made a kind of meal they fashioned into dough. These holes now collect water that the desert birds and animals can drink on a hot summer day!"

We rested in their shade, ate sandwiches and drank lemonade watching the summer clouds and thunderheads collect over the red desert floor.

Giclee Prints            Large Note Cards