Taylor returns for his second raft adventure.
Each fall, Arizona Raft Adventures holds an adventure art contest called Images of Grand Canyon. Raft adventurers and Grand Canyon enthusiasts submit photos, paintings and sketches for a chance to win artistic bragging rights, AzRA retail gear and a discount off a Grand Canyon raft adventure. Furthermore, we select our favorite adventure art image for our annual custom printed holiday card. We send the holiday greeting cards out to guests, vendors and industry partners as a thank you and best wishes during the holiday season. This year’s Grand Prize was awarded to Taylor Hobbs, of North Carolina. He submitted several drawings into the contest. His drawing of a camp scene, which he titles Nankoweap, is our favorite (above).
Adventure Art and Inspiration
Taylor’s 2017 raft trip was his second trip with AzRA. He and his father went down the river together on a lower half all-paddle trip in the late 80’s. He told us he has a distinct memory from that trip. Both himself, his dad and their guide fell out of the raft in Lava Falls! Nevertheless, he knew he would be back someday.
A simple selection of art supplies makes for light and compact packing.
This time, he came by himself. Taylor set a personal goal to sketch at least one scene each day to quickly capture the feeling, or essence, of that location. He limited himself to drawing for only about 30 minutes per sketch so that he could rejoin the group for happy hour (good planning)! His adventure art supplies consisted of six colors of pencils, one graphite pencil, a ball point pen and a sharpie. He kept his sketch book and pencils tucked away safely each day in a towel packed at the bottom of his waterproof bag.
Why the Grand?
Taylor told us he chose the full canyon oar and paddle trip (Classic Adventure) so that he could sink in and detach from the pace of his everyday life. He said he loves the isolation, swimming in the beautiful water, catching trout, making new friends and viewing the milky way each night. Taylor said his biggest challenge is adjusting to the different rhythm of time. He says the rhythm is both fun and enlightening. He intends to use his prize for another raft adventure within a couple of years. On his next trip, Taylor wants to bring his children with him who are now just 13 and 11 years old. He said they are excited for this family adventure after hearing his stories, looking at photos and viewing his creative adventure art.
Would you like to submit your adventure art to the next Images of Grand Canyon Contest? Read Rules and Regulations for the Images of Grand Canyon Contest.
A Big Congratulations to our Adventure Art Images of Grand Canyon Contest 2017 Runner Up’s:
2nd Place – by Kate Persons
3rd Place – by Bill Klipp. All photos © Bill Klipp, not for Commercial Use of any type.
4th Place – by Lynn Posey
5 Comments. Leave new
Very nice!! Thanks for sharing.
Outstanding photos. I like receiving emails from AZRA. It reminds me I took one of the best adventures in my life. Thank you.
These are all really cool images. I hope that I will be able to capture similar scenes next year on my trip. I am also impressed with the hind leg of the rear sheep(?). It seems to be very articulated; I suppose for climbing agility.
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