Euphorbia Abdalkuri

6 x 6 inches Oil on birch ply SOLD

This particular plant was originally planted when the owner was 15 and 40 years later we have a gem of a speciman. It's from Africa, Abd-al-Kuri island, next to Socotra Island (South Yemen)

Here were some of my paintings at the Desert Botanical Garden 3 day show with the Scottsdale Artist League~!

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!

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.

Boojum Tree

१२" x१२" oil on canvas


Painted at the Desert Botanical Gardens today in Phoenix AZ.
This is the founder's original home from 1939, Gertrude Divine Webster.
Her dream was, “First, we wish to conserve our Arizona flora
—fast being destroyed.
Second, we wish to establish plantings for students and botanists,
and third, we wish to make a compelling attraction.”

The boojum tree was planted in the first year. The boojum is taken
from Lewis Carroll's poem "The Hunting of the Snark".

$350. + S/H

Solo Saguaro

12" x 12" Oil on canvas

We set up first thing in the morning, before the sun
had come over the mountain. By the time it did come, a nice
shadow hit the cactus.

$350. + S/H

Four Amigos

12" x 12" Oil on canvas

$350. + S/H

Same trail as last week, and the MOON was really there when I
started earlier! The foreground was completely in shadow, and
I blocked it in, then went down the hill to retrieve my camera,
and voila the light was now hitting the tops of the brush. I hadn't
figured on so much detail when I selected this spot, and not sure
it isn't too polka dotted. These plein air studies make for good
source material for larger ones though and the photos can be a help.
The skies a little too wet to finish, so I'll give it a day or two.

And my guest painter with me today was good Vermont friend,
Warren Kimble!

He's never been painting en plein air, so it was a real honor
to have his trust ON THE TRAIL!

He's having his first major retrospective this summer at the
Shelburne Museum in Vermont. He was out in here in Arizona
having a solo show at the Robert Roman Gallery in Scottsdale.

Saguaro Pair at Red Mt

12" x 12" Oil on canvas

$350 + S/H

View of Red Mt. near the Salt River. Still trying to
conquer the incredible Mighty Saguaro!

Big View

9" x 12" Oil on canvas on wood panel

$350. + S/H

I changed the mountain colors to read better.
That's the advantage of looking at your old paintings, every
now and again, you figure out a better solution.
I'm continually intrigued by how much to simplify
of the growth and shapes in the pictoral image.
I think this one has some more to be simplifiedThis version was posted 1.25.07

Valley View

10" x 10" Oil on MDF board (Medium Density Fiber)
Painting on location, en plein air, is a real joy.
Who could think up this landscape?
All's right with the world when I'm out painting.

Lone Soldier

8" x 10" Oil on canvas board

Here's the location where I was today,
and popped off this study.
It has possibilities for another painting.
The saguaro are so stately in the desert landscape, and challenging to fit into paintings for me.

Sunset Ride

6" x 6" oil on masonite

$99.+ S/H

Bulldog

6" x 6" Oil on masonite

$99. +S/H

There is so much growth in these valleys,
that it's challenging to edit out selectively.
My tendency is to collect and save everything,
with the slightly modified Scarlett philosophy:
"This can be used (maybe), tomorrow".
What am I thinking?
Better get it down to essentials TODAY..
New philosophy.

Bulldog Wash-Red Mt

6" x 6" oil on masonite

This was the first one of the day, when it was 40 degrees.
It's looking at Red Mountain.
Next week going in a little further on a jeep,
and building a warm up fire as well!

Desert Wash

6" x 6" Oil on masonite

$99. + S/H

Painting this morning at Tonto National Park at the Bulldog wash,
it was 40 degrees! Needless to say, we were bundled up
and I was happy wearing my fleece gloves.
I painted three different views,and this is one of them.
The heavy rain we had Monday left puddles,
and also clouds that affected the light from moment to moment.

Forever Young

12 x 12 Oil SOLD