Jordan Travelogue-Travels and Art-A Wonderful Experience

 TRAVELS WITH A PAINTBRUSH THRU A GLORIOUS KINGDOM -JORDAN  -CREATION OF A LIBRARY  OF JORDAN LANDSCAPES, CITYSCAPES, AND SEASCAPES OIL PAINTINGS

OVERVIEW 

In early 2023 we spent 3 months on this wonderful experience -travelling and Oil Painting Jordan. We were blown away by the most important aspect -THE PEOPLE OF JORDAN. They were most welcoming ,friendly and generous PEOPLE. The LANDSCAPES-MOUNTAINS, LAKES, SEAS, VALLEYS were spectactular -A PAINTERS PARADISE. We travelled over the whole country and spent good amounts of time in the the various places so that we got a good view and understanding of this varied country. -Amman, Jerash, Umm Quais, Jordan valley, Dead Sea, Madeba, Mount Nebo, Al-Karak, Wadi -Al-Mujib , Dana, Shabak, PETRA, Wadi Rum, Aquaba.By travelling ourselves and, where possible, living with local people  we were able to interact with and experience this wonderful people and countryside and produce over 50 LANDSCAPE OIL PAINTINGS OF JORDAN

These pictures summarises THE INTREPID DAUBER  doing his thing at various locations around Jordan 

 

JARASH

 

 

 

PETRA  

Of the many highlights in Jordan, unquestionably the greatest is Petra. I spent 10 days  creating PETRA OIL PAINTINGS in these glorious surroundings . Created by the highly sophisticated NABATAEAN PEOPLE 3000 years ago, the 10km long  ancient City of Petra is truly spectacular.We lived with a wonderful gentleman, HAMAD at his Amro Petra apartments in nearby Wadi Musa. Each morning, at dawn,  I made the 1 hour trek with my OIL PAINTING gear into this magical paradise.

THE SIQ

Each morning I walked , in amazement, thru this natural narrow passage .Around each bend appeared yet another view. The carvings of camels, people and water channels added to the impact. Particularly impactful was the movement of the light which created some marvellous contrasts which I tried to capture in the Petra Paintings

PETRA SIQ

 

 THE TREASURY 

A highlight of Petra is this amazing carving. As I walked along the Siq, suddenly I caught my first glimpses of this amazing monument to ancient craftsmanship. I created several Petra Treasury oil paintings .This was a very busy area so I always arrived early .It was most interesting to see the local Bedouin people waking and arriving to set up -some with stalls ,others with camels or donkeys. I really got to know many of them . The young people were, as always, fascinating and fascinated by the “ hobo” doing his thing. The young lady shown was particularly keen and I gave her the opportunity to help to create her painting.

PETRA TREASURY

 

PETRA MONASTERY AND AMPHITHEATRE 

At the extreme end of PETRA VALLEY lies PETRA MONASTERY , similar in many ways to the Treasury. It is reached by a fairly energetic climb up 800 steps. The effort is well worthwhile. We were advised and used the back entrance which saved much energy, particularly carrying painting gear. We spent the day creating a PETRA MONASTERY OIL PAINTING and observing all the activities including the camels and passenger/freight donkeys

We arrived at the  PETRA AMPHITHEATRE  shortly after the TREASURY. Built to seat 4000+ spectators ,it is also a superstructure. I also created a Petra Amphitheatre Oil Painting 

PETRA MONASTERY, AMPHITHEATRE

 

PETRA ROYAL TOMBS , PETRA STREET OF FACADES AND PETRA CENTRAL

The row of  ROYAL TOMBS ,a dozen large burial chambers ,we reached by climbing a set of steps. I painted this PETRA ROYAL TOMBS OIL PAINTING whilst standing in the shade of the NYMPHAEUM. Here I had a great experience ,the elderly Bedouin seller arrived, set up her stall and immediately lit her fire and made tea. Typical of Bedouin generosity , several times during the day she gave me this tea and, later, a really nice sandwich, which was so generous. Needless to say, we bought some things from her stall.

Between the Treasury and Royal Tombs we Painted the Magnificent Street of Facades Painting -again massive rock face carvings

The  PETRA VALLEY widens out in the CENTRAL AREA and here there was much activity -Petra Bedouins with their Camels and Donkeys and Horses, and cafes. Standing creating a painting  another  PETRA OIL PAINTING and interacting with the folks was just great! I had interesting conversation with the local chief veterinarian ,who attends to the animals.

PETRA ROYAL TOMBS , STREET OF FACADES, CENTRAL  AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

 

PETRA -BACK ENTRANCE

This is an alternative way in, particularly for those who don’t want the climb up to the Monastery -we highly recommend it. We got a local taxi from Petra Car park to LITTLE PETRA . Then a bus for 15 mins. Then a 1 hour walk which was truly spectacular over wide rugged valleys and landscapes -truly not to be missed. We eventually arrived at PETRA MONASTERY , following which we descended the steps to the valley

PETRA BACK ENTRANCE AND STEPS

 

OBELISK TOMB, COLORS OF PETRA AND SEREPENDITY

Shortly after the entance ,we came across and later painted another monument -PETRA OBELISK TOMB. It was whilst paint here I, with true serendipity, met LINA , a most impressive young local lady of many talents , languages and ambitions . Altho a young lady, she told me of her many experiences and gave me a lot of local information. Such are the joys of outdoor painting!!!

COLOURS OF PETRA 

Whilst PETRA is a true place of colour, there are areas where the wide range of BANDS OF COLOUR are truly outstanding. I painted some of these , particularly across from the Amphitheatre ,creating almost abstract paintings of bands of colour

OBELISK TOMB , COLORS OF PETRA , LINA

JARASH 

About 1 hour drive north of AMMAN ,we came to Jarash ,stayed in local house and did several OIL PAINTINGS OF JARASH JORDAN. Without experiencing it , one would have no idea of the magnificence of the Greco /Roman site-surely the greatest we have ever seen. Its 2 amphitheatres, arches ,temples , pillared walkways and many buildings-in very good condition ,allowed us to step back in time and wonder at the skill of those marvellous designers and builders. The weather was mixed , So creating HADRIANS ARCH JERASH OIL PAINTING and JARASH AMPHITHEATRE OIL PAINTING required a certain resilience , well worth the effort. This was helped by lots of coffee and sweet stuff from local shop with its friendly team .

JARASH JORDAN 

AMMAN 

THIS WAS OUR POINT OF ARRIVAL IN JORDAN. THIS CITY WITH ITS WELCOMING PEOPLE, COMBINATION OF ANCIENT MONUMENTS, BUSTLING AND QUIET AREAS , WELCOMING COFFEE SHOPS , TERRIFIC MUSUEM AND ART MUSEUM WERE MOST ATTRACTIVE

I Painted AMMAN CITADEL OIL PAINTING, AMMAN MOSQUE OIL PAINTING, AMMAN AMPHITHEATRE AND A VERY WELCOMING AMMAN CAFÉ OIL PAINTING

 

 

 

 

 

UMM QAIS, LAKE GALILEE, GOLAN HEIGHTS

In the NORTH OF JORDAN we stayed in this this historical area .It provided spectacular views of local UMM QUAIS MONUMENTS, THE SEA OF GALILEE,THE JORDAN VALLEY AND THE GOLAN HEIGHTS Amidst quite windy, wet weather, I was able to create SEA OF GALILEE OIL PAINTING, GOLAN HEIGHTS OIL PAINTING, UMM QUAIS OIL PAINTINGSWhilst doing these, I was amply supplied by a local boy selling great coffee with his mother from a covered trailer

 

DEAD SEA

This was something! The DEAD SEA was our home for several days. It was really something to float on its high density waters and apply the unctions from local clay!-modesty prohibits  photos!

From the adjacent hillsides , with its views across to Israel I was able to paint several DEAD SEA OIL PAINTINGS

JORDAN VALLEY

It was truly something to be able to witness and walk in the Jordan River at the point of the BAPTISM OF CHRIST and visit the adjacent monuments and churches

MOUNT NEBO 

Yet another spectacular site –Mount Nebo overlooking the Jordan Valley and Dead See,from which Moses viewed the Promised Land. This site, adorned with monastery, museum and bronze snake cross , was truly memorable. I created a MOUNT NEBO OIL PAINTING here. Greatly helped by the generous food offerings of the local monks.

SHABAK CASTLE

South along the Kings Highway ,we came around a corner and there was this magnificent hill top SHABAK CASTLE. Of course I had to stop by roadside and create a SHABAK CASTLE OIL PAINTING. Further along is the worlds small hotel  -in a VW Beetle!

MADABA -CITY OF MOSAICS

Now this was something else -truly the home of mosaics . Many churches, temples with mosaics up to 3000 years old ,including hangings, floors ,walls.In local shops I was amazed at the skills and patience and techniques to produce such magnificent piecesBeing an artist , and not having done it before , I tried it under the patient eye of a wonderful local tutor , They were quite complimentary at the end (generously, I think!). I came away with a greater appreciation of theire skills and patience .I created a MADEBA MOSQUE  OIL PAINTING -ths, as usual .involved much interaction and kind compliments from locals

DANA BIOSPHERE

We spent days in this unique, high altitude VILLAGE with its valleys, maintains and great scenery. Stayed in a local hostel-well fed as usual on local food. Made very welcome -local youngers became involved -all great fun

Created several DANA OIL PAINTINGS  AND DANA VILLAGE OIL PAINTINGS

 

AL-KARAK

This town along the Kings Highway has a spectacular CASTLE/MUSEUM and square with huge SALAH -AH-DIN. During our visit -in a local friendly guest house, I painted AL-KARAK CASTLE OIL PAINTING AND SALAH-AH -DIN OIL PAINTING

 

WADI AL MUJIB CANYON

THIS SPECTACULAR CANYON IS ON KINGS HIGHWAY SOUTH OF AL KARAK. THE VIEWS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ARE SPECTACUALR ( I SEEM TO USE THIS WORD A LOT IN JORDAN!)   I PAINTED 2  WADI AL MUJIB OIL PAINTINGS HERE

 

WADI RUM DESERT

Another great experience. This huge desert with its friendly, welcoming Bedouins was most attractive. We stayed with Beduoin family in natural accommodation and were delighted to be given their wholesome, natural food, prepared outdoors or by burying with fire in sand.

Our friends took us on trips around the desert with its plants, rocks, chasms, rock arches, Laurance House, Rock Inscriptions, etc.Of course camel transport had to be experienced.Another unique experience was the WADI RUM TRAIN RE-ENACTMENT , which recreates an attack on pilgrim train -this was amazing -particularly as a horse painter, I wantedgto see Arabian horses in action.I created several WADI RUM OIL PAINTINGS ,including 1 for our hosts and WADI RUM TRAIN OIL PAINTINGS

AQUABA

Our final destination was Aquaba , a more modern city on the Red Sea .This was a sort of chill-out location after our previous  3 months adventures-a friendly ,welcoming place -if a little more developed and  touristy. I managed to chill and also produce an AQUABA OIL PAINTING