Greetings From Zion!

by Vanessa Lemen

Luke and Elissa sketching on Angel's Landing / photo: Mahting Putelis

I am writing this from Zion, while at an expedition with Legendeer. What is Legendeer, you ask? Well, in case you're not familiar, here's a bit from the Legendeer website:

Legendeer is dedicated to embedding artists back into the world.

We design tools and programs to facilitate creative pioneers in pursuit of authenticity and cultural impact across a broad range of mediums.

Legendeer is a community focused, multi-disciplinary movement, inviting innovators from creative industries as diverse as Illustration, Production Art, Independent Filmmaking, Education, Performance, Writing, Fine Art and Entrepreneurship. We believe in the vital connection between our experiences, our health, and our creative pursuits.

Canyoneering group / photo: @maelstrm

Rob canyoneering / photo: @maelstrm

Canyoneering group / photo: Ron Lemen

Emerald Pools / photo: Vanessa Lemen

Rob performing for the group / photo: Vanessa Lemen

This year's Legendeer expedition is in the Zion Canyon area of Zion National Park. With 45 of us, we split into 3 groups each day to head out on various excursions in the area, and each day, one group stays back at the hub for an instructed workshop. Collectively, we've hiked such trails as the Watchman trail, Emerald Pools and The Grotto trails, Angel's Landing and West Rim trails, Observation Point, as well as hiked the (currently very high) Virgin River in the Narrows, and have gone canyoneering by way of rappelling into the slot canyons in the area. We all return in the afternoon to relax for a bit, continue our sketches and ideas from the hikes, write, play music, chat about our experiences – some head out for more hiking or running or adventuring – then later, we gather for presentations by the instructors. Every day has been amazing.

sketching at the basecamp / photo: @maelstrm

Jeremy Collins and the group sketch while canyoneering / photo: @maelstrm

Liz at Angel's Landing / photo and sketch: Jason Chapman

Hannah sketching at Angel's Landing / photo: Jason Chapman

Apolla's presentation / photo (l): Vanessa Lemen // Sterling's presentation / photo: (r) @legendeer

the amazing Sandy and Forrest Hundley who took such great care of us all this week! So grateful for these two.

Kirsten sketching at Emerald Pools / photo: Vanessa Lemen

Wilson strikes a pose in front of The Watchman / photo: Vanessa Lemen

Brook sketching on a hike / photo: Mahting Putelis

Nick plein air painting / photo: Mahting Putelis

(l)Sterling and Adam doing a painting demo / (r)the group at basecamp for dinner / photos: Vanessa Lemen

I've had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in the Legendeer expeditions for about 5 years now, having adventured and held workshops in places such as Richmond Virginia, San Francisco, Yosemite, Banff, Calgary, and now Zion. I have always come back filled with an immense amount of creative energy and stronger sense of connection with what's essential both in terms of community and of my own intent. There are some beautiful videos on the Legendeer website that encapsulate the experience so well, and I recommend watching them to get a bit of a glimpse at what the expeditions are like. And without a doubt, being immersed in the environment among fellow Legendeers is the absolute best way to truly grasp the experience.

Luke and Jeremy canyoneering / photo: Jason Chapman

the group canyoneering / photo: Jason Chapman

sketch in oil on left: Ron Lemen / sketch in mixed media on right: Vanessa Lemen

Ron and Kirsten canyoneering / photo: Jacqueline Lefranc

photo and art: Jeremy Collins

photo and art: Jeremy Collins

repelling into a canyon / photo: @legendeer

a few Legendeers at The Narrows / photo: Mahting Putelis

more fun at The Narrows

 Virginie (l) at basecamp / photo: @maelstrm / Thiva (r) at basecamp / photo: Vanessa Lemen

The photos I'm sharing here throughout this article are from our recent adventure in Zion, still in progress. In no particular order, and from various Legendeer points of view, I give you a glimpse of my current state of being. The landscape is otherworldly, the energy is simultaneously invigorating, peaceful, and centering, and the company is inclusive, supportive, and inspiring.

Donny canyoneering / photo: @maelstrm

photo: @maelstrm

Bruno sketches at Emerald Pools / photo: @legendeer

photo: Ron Lemen

photo: Ron Lemen

photo: Ron Lemen

photos: Vanessa Lemen

waterfall at Emerald Pools / photo: Vanessa Lemen

Adam demonstrates strata / photos: Vanessa Lemen

Legendeers at The Watchman trail / photo: Vanessa Lemen

As the mantra of Legendeer co-founder, Sterling Hundley goes: Life Is Story. As a like-minded community, we connect on various levels, and being immersed in our surroundings collectively gives us all the creative boost we need. This is a time for us to be introspective while also sharing our stories, free ourselves from some creative blocks we may be having, give each other a hand at diving deeper, and support our courageous leaps toward discovering our purpose and investigating the depths and expanses of our authentic vision.

Sterling Hundley canyoneering / photo: Jason Chapman