Prickly Pear Cacti - #33011

11 x 14 Inches Oil on canvas

start up

earlier version

Our show this weekend has a nice write up,
listed on AZCentral.com which will also be running in the AZ Republic Wednesday.

Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden Paint Out

April 1, 2 & 3, 9am to 5pm

Desert Home Courtyard - #32811

24 x 36 inches Oil on canvas

Here's final version of Desert Home Courtyard, having taken it back last Saturday to complete.

I sat on bench and had a viewer take my picture. It just seemed to beg for a relaxing repose.
All's right with the world... well in some worlds.

Courtyard DBG 2 - #32711

8 x 10 inches Oil on canvas mounted
This was earlier version painted last year that benefited with some additional color.

I love this spot of a garden in a courtyard with the architecture surrounding it.

Agave Parry - #32611

5 x 7 inches Oil on canvas board SOLD

Our last Saturday paint out at the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden. Next weekend will be the 2 day exhibit and sale. If you're in the area come on by!
I'll have 11 paintings in it.
The comraderie of this group is wonderful, with a variety of styles and techniques and experience.

Friendship, love of nature and a joy of painting bind us together!

Saguaro II - #32611

5 x 7 inches Oil on canvas board

Saguaro - #32511

5 x 7 inches Oil on canvas board

These two saguaros captured my attention on this glorious day.
I'll post the one on right tomorrow.

Agave study - #32311

6 x 6 inches Oil on birch ply

Fish Hook Barrel Cactus - #32111

6 x 6 inches Oil on birch SOLD

Fish Hook Barrel Cacti - #32011

6 x 6 inches Oil on birch SOLD

Todds hiking guide :
The Fish Hook Barrel Cactus is found throughout southern and central Arizona at elevations between 100 and 4500 feet along sandy desert and gravelly slopes. Smaller populations may also be found in southern New Mexico, western Texas and northern Mexico. The cactus is easily identified by its thick (2 foot diameter), barrel shaped body (which usually reaches heights of 2 - 4 feet, but occasionally reaches over 10 feet), and long hooked spines. The cactus grows singly (as opposed to clusters, like the hedgehog cactus) and will have approximately 20 - 28 ribs. Two types of spines grow out of the ribs, the reddish, hooked spines (for which the cactus is named protrude outward from the body, while more slender, radial spines criss-cross flat along the body between the ribs.

Fish Hook Barrel Cacti typically bloom in late summer (July - September) and produce a cup shaped flower at the top of the plant. Flower color is usually some shade of orange, but is occasionally yellow or red. Cactus bees pollinate the flowers. The fruit remains on the cactus until it is removed by animals and may remain on the plant for more than a year. Birds, squirrels, deer and javalina are the main consumers of the fruit. The plants usually grow fairly slowly in the wild and live for about a 100 years. It is a myth that you can cut open a barrel cactus and water will pour out. While the plants do retain moisture, it is contained within a slimy alkaline pulp. Native Americans have used the juice as an emergency water source, but drinking this liquid can produce undesirable health effects such as diarrhea and joint pain. The sour rind and seeds are edible, as are the flowers and fruit.

Chilean Palo Verde in Bloom - #31911

8 x 10 inches Oil on canvas

$225 + S/H

This was the most fragrant tree blooming in the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden today!
Here's the tree next to it last year I painted. It wasn't quite in bloom yet.

8 x 10 inches Oil SOLD

Vincent van Gogh. Mulberry Tree. October 1889. Oil on canvas.

I couldn't help but google Van Gogh trees, and found this just now. No one is comparing
anyone here, but his work in nature is always so vibrant, and this mulberry tree is no exception.

Biker Chick

8 x 10 inches Oil on panel

$225 + S/H


detail

Our model brought her bike in and posed on it!

Buddha Mountain - #31511

6 x 6 inches Oil on birch ply

Courtyard DBG - #31211

24 x 30 inches Oil on canvas

This was from the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.

I realized at this point too many lights would defeat the dramatic dark contrasts.

Male Back Torso - #3911

5 x 7 inches Oil on canvas board

$99 + S/H

Two more quickies of AJ with a head full of dreadlocks..fun to paint.

Reclining on Blanket - #3811

16 x 20 inches Oil on canvas

Detail


$275 + S/H

Appaloosa and Friends - #3711

16 x 20 inches Oil on canvas

$225 + S/H

detail

I could see working into this a tad more. It was all done on location with the moving targets!
I suppose it wouldn't take much to articulate a bit of the stretch and their heads.

Again, I have such a block about working on plein air paintings after I'm back in the studio.
What's up with that?


These paddock had 4 horses from Wyoming. The rest of the stable horses live in Prescott in the hot summer.
They go on trail rides all the time during three winter months.

Velvet Portrait - #3611

11 x 14 inches Oil on canvas

Detail

$225 + S/H

I've painted Velvet a few years ago 2/20 and she's so stunning.

AJ Head - #3511

6 x 6 inches Oil on birch ply

$99. + S/H

This is one of 9 quick studies of AJ. From 2 minute poses to 20 minute poses. I find the 2 minute ones can look insane but the freedom of line is an important discovery in itself. I like to see brush work, and without time to ponder it, terrific surprises can happen!