Saguaro Sunrise

Saguaro Sunrise

9x12 soft pastel

How about one more cactus?  The Saguaro is another interesting cactus. This species grows very slowly.  It begins to flower around the 50 year mark and sprouts arm-like structures only after 75-100 years (if it sprouts them at all).  The Saguaro can also grow over 70 feet tall and live well over 150 years.  As we drive in and out of Phoenix we see thousands of them.  I'm always taking pictures as if I'm seeing them for the very first time.  Sometimes I think, if they could only talk!  I'd love to know what history they've silently witnessed.

How do you paint a horizontal 9x12 painting when your subject matter is so tall?  And still include shadows?  You zoom in really close.  An interesting look at a tall Saguaro.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly Pear Cactus
9x12 soft pastel

Another painting for the cactus series...the beautiful Opuntia (more commonly known as the prickly pear).  Something I didn't know until now, cactus is native only to the Americas.  Hmmm, I guess that's proof that you learn something every day!  Or, did you already know that little piece of trivia?

Barrel Cactus

Barrel Cactus
9x12 soft pastel

This is a cactus I found during one of my early morning walks in Phoenix. The patterns we find in nature are truly amazing.  This overhead view of a barrel cactus is no exception. 

Agave Morning

Agave Morning
9 x 12, soft pastel

 

I had time for a tiny bit of painting during a recent trip to Phoenix.  An early morning sunrise cast amazing shadows off the cacti near my mother-in-law's home.  The warmth of the sunlight was just beginning to reach the tips of this agave plant.  I tried to capture the beauty of that cool quiet moment.