Background information--About
the Trip -- Rates and Dates -- Contact
information--Two
Day Workshops--Raptor Biology Class--Materials
List
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Once
again, watercolor artist Erica H. Craig and Aggipah River Trips
will offer a white water raft trip down the most famous of Idaho’s
wild
rivers...the Main Salmon River.
Known to Native Americans and early explorers as the River of No Return, the Salmon River flows through the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states. The towering mountains, sheer cliffs and untrammeled forests offer unparalleled opportunities for the artist dedicated to painting the natural world and experimenting with this medium.
Erica, an artist who is also a professional wildlife biologist, is known for her captivating watercolor paintings of wild animals and wild places. She has worked in watercolors for over 25 years and is a noted artist in the west. Her husband, Tim Craig, who is also a professional wildlife biologist, often accompanies the trip. Tim’s strong natural history background augments the trip for the painters as well as the non-painters. He is available to lead short “nature” hikes during the trip. [return to top]
The Main Salmon River trip is designed specifically for artists and others interested in learning how Erica gathers reference material and composes a painting. Evenings are spent learning to control this difficult medium; lessons are a combination of demonstrations and tutorial sessions on various subjects. Non-painting companions can enjoy the opportunity for natural history walks with Tim, or just play in the river. Come experience nature and learn about the wildlife and native plants you encounter. Noone in your group interested in a watercolor workshop? Erica does lead some trips as a naturalist/guide; contact us to request rates and dates for other adventures.
We will “put-in” at the “end of the road” (Corn Creek) and float for 6 days through the most pristine wilderness remaining in the United States. As we shift to “River Time” we will cross the surface of mirrored, tranquil pools, noticed only by golden eagles and bighorn sheep...and then, drop through towering gorges to experience the power of the river in rapids like Salmon Falls, Growler and Dried Meat.
“Art opportunity stops” and camp sites are on sandy beaches along the river. Here, you work with Erica...ask, learn. Demonstrations and instructions in washes, glazing, dry brush and wet-in-wet techniques are used to demonstrate how to paint iridescent feathers, the wood of old mining cabins and snags, and wildflowers, among other things. Later, relax, refresh yourself with a swim in the river and eat wonderful Dutch oven meals cooked by the experienced river guides of Aggipah River Trips, our conveyance on the river.
Above all—Experience the River and Paint! [return
to top]
About
the workshops in general:
The students learn various watercolor techniques, from dry-brush to wet in wet, and the steps involved in planning and executing a painting. The classes are mostly tutorial, although I also give demonstrations to facilitate student learning. Meeting times for the 2-day workshops are from 9:00-5:00 each day with a break for lunch. Evenings are spent painting during the float trip. Food, lodging and transportation are not included in the 2-day workshop price. College credit is available upon request for an additional fee of $50.00 per credit. Class size is limited, so a $50.00 deposit will reserve your place in the class. This deposit is fully refundable for cancellations made 14 days prior to when the class is given (it is forfeited after that time). River trips include food and lodging (tents) while on the river.
I also offer the following 2-day outdoor workshops in the Nampa/Boise, Idaho Area and in Interior Alaska during the summer. More information about the workshops and a suggested materials list.
Painting
Wildflowers in Watercolors ($175.00 plus $50.00 if university
credit is desired for taking the workshop), Nampa, Idaho. Date to be
scheduled for summer 2006.
Painting Natural Wonders with Watercolors ($175.00), Alaska: Available only upon requests made by groups of 10 or more for summer of 2006.
Main Salmon River Trip: $1550.00*.
Date to be scheduled 2006.. It is also offered at different dates on
a special request basis for parties of 6 or more people.
*Rate is subject to 8% sales tax and Federal User Fee. Continuing education
credits are available for an additional fee through Northwest Nazarene
University. [return
to top]
Additional workshops on other topics
and in other areas can be arranged upon request for groups of 6-10 or
more, depending upon the type of workshop requested and it's location.
Call for availability 
of
dates. Noone in your group interested
in a watercolor workshop? Erica does lead some trips as a naturalist/guide
on whitewater river trips. Contact
her if you have a group interested in just running a wild river. In
addition, for the last 25 years, Erica, her husband
Tim and their friend Leon Powers have team-taught a 6 day class
in raptor biology at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa,
Idaho. The class is offered twice a year; once in the winter and once
in the spring. This unique course has been team-taught for the past
25+ years by three raptor biologists who have been studying hawks for
somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 years...combined! Join them for
5 days of total immersion in the study of hawks, eagles and owls specific
to the Western United States. Get caught up in the passion that these
three friends share for raptors. Learn from the perspective of Leon
Powers, long-time university professor, published popular author and
raptor biologist. Enjoy the teaching style of Tim Craig, BLM biologist
from Alaska, also a published popular author and raptor biologist. Absorb
the essence of these wild creatures from Erica Craig, also a raptor
biologist from Alaska and a wildlife artist. The course is approximately
50% lab time and 50% field trips and is a combination of everything
from natural history, to how to identify raptors in the field...and
a lot in between. Delight in the sheer beauty of living creatures that
have fascinated people for thousands of years. If you love birds, you
will love this class...and if you didn't when you started taking it,
you will by the time you are through! You will never drive anywhere
and be the same again. Prepare to have your life changed forever as
you enter the world of raptors.
Specifics about the course:
NNU Contact information: 1-800-349-6938; 467-8495 or 467-8870 ask for
Sandy or Mary; e-mail: SLBlom@NNU.Edu
University Credits: 3; this course can be taken for graduate or undergraduate
science credits but cannot be used as general education laboratory credit
Course Number and Title: BI 420.1 Birds of Prey
Cost: $500.00
When: May, 2006; all day and sometimes at night.
Deposit: $100
For more information call the university toll free at 1-800-349-6938,
or visit their website http://www.nnu.edu/academics/summerschool/summerschool2004/undergradcoursedesc.html.
[return
to top]
All images on this site © copyright 2004 Erica Craig. All rights reserved; none of these images may be reproduced in any form, or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means without permission, in writing, from the artist.