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~!

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.

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.

Courtyard - #12311A

8 x 10 inches Oil on canvas

$175 + S/H Framed

To purchase this painting click on the Buy Now button below and follow the instructions:

This was originally painted at the DBG in Phoenix and posted on 3.3.10

Since I'm getting ready to exhibit my work Saturday Jan 29 at the Scottsdale Ranch Community Center
I'm busy framing work up. Hence the framed views. They look different don't they? Do you like the liners, the matting part for paintings? Gold, black, floaters? SO many choices...I'd love to hear from any of you!

Courtyard ~ Desert Botanical Garden

8 x 10 inches Oil on canvas

$150 + S/H




another beautiful day at the DBG painting with the Scottsdale Art League.

Next weekend is a 3 day sale of the 40 artists who painted in March on Saturdays.

Thanks DBG!

Chilean Verde in Bloom

8 x 10 inches Oil on canvas

This blooming tree so resembles Forsythia in the spring back east.

It must have been planted in the 40's at this large size... magnificent.

Cardon Cacti Path

11 x 14 inches Oil on canvas SOLD




I deepened the shadows and enriched the lights from the last stage since I was back there today. After 1:30 pm the shadows start to come across the path... worth waiting for!

Desert Garden Home

18 x 24 inches Oil on canvas



Today at the Desert Botanical Garden plein air event. Started at 9am with the lovely morning shadows and light coming over the building hitting the bushes. The Cardon Cacti on left were planted in 1940, and I'll post final version tomorrow. That's a Boojum tree straight ahead, an elephant tree on right and the bush on right is a... oops drawing a blank. Butterflies and hummingbirds love the red blossoms. It's nearly gone by.



A photography class capturing the three figures


bronze sculpture



of Allan Housner. Here are a couple more of the 18 of his pieces in the DBG
Another show of his at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix.

Elephant Cacti ~ Desert Botanical Gardens AZ

11 x 14 inches Oil on canvas

Did this get too precious and overworked from initial one below?

These are elephant cactus, native of Baja CA, planted in 1940 from little plants carried in buckets to original Webster estate.

Initial painting with surprise guests showing up!