Red Mountain over the Salt River

The Red Mountain was lovely at sunset, but we were soon spooked by the dense, brushy trail and the big cat sounds.  Once back on the road, we realized we had come in a back entrance instead of the main one. Silly Google maps, leading us astray!  Thank goodness we got our of there in time. The trail narrows quickly with darkness descending.  The trail was so dense that this was one of only a couple of clear views of the mountain and the river. We went in search of wildb horses, and there were plenty of signs, but we did not see them.  I want to return during morning hours, by the front entrance, to truly enjoy this place when we return.  There is a lake on that side that should offer some amazing painting opportunities, too.  I am really enjoying this gorgeous journal, it is a dream to sketch in such a book!  Painting number 3393 in 3393 days. 

Cacti!

The cacti in Arizona are many and varied, with some taller than I am!  Today finds me painting a miniature of this cool cluster of cacti, and finding the forms with ink and watercolor.  I have run out of my favorite black, so Thunderstorm ink by Robert Oster is used for my line work. LOVE getting in a quick little painting before heading to the zoo.  Painting number 3375 in 3375 days. 

Grapefruit Tree

The branches of this grapefruit tree are heavy with fruit!  Love how the air is fragrant with fruit!  With gentle winds, this is a pleasant day spent outside, soaking up the sun.  Too soon I will be returning to snow, and I will remember these days as I shiver in the pasture!  Painting number 2597 in 2697 days.

Cactus Clump

The very best thing about spending some time in Arizona in February is the warm weather!  Flowers are in bloom, there's not a cloud in the sky, and 70 degrees is pretty awesome.  I do love painting in the snow - but oh how comfortable it is right here!  This beautiful cactus is at least four feet tall, with spreading arms reaching to the sky. I am missing a favorite India ink pen, and am using a ball point pen in a few places to make do!  Haha!  I am forever pulling out pens and forgetting to get them back in my bags!  Painting number 2594 in 2594 days.

Oranges!

Oh I was so excited when I saw the boxes of oranges lined up by the road in front of one of the houses!  Local residents put their overflow fruit out by the road for others to pick up.  Our oranges are nearly gone from our tree - so I headed by to the house to get a bag.  Only a half mile away, I decided to just grab this box to share with our families.  Far heavier than I realized, I did get it back before my arms gave out.  Ready for a shower after my 2 mile run, I left mom and Evelyn peeling juicy oranges to eat.  When I got out of the shower the looks on their faces were no longer glowing - and I found a plate of very white slices from inside of these "oranges" - and they are tart as grapefruit!  What a disappointment!  So, of course I had to paint them.  Just another plein air/running adventure.  I will taste test the next batch in the field before ever bringing them back!  Painting number 2593 in 2593 days.

Citrus and Palm

As I sit on the tile in my bare feet, sipping hot tea with lemon fresh from the tree, I begin to sketch.  A few slices from the orange just picked, and I begin to add color.  The delightful sunny day is sweet reward for standing in the cold snow just a few days ago.  The light is so strong, the air so dry, I am definitely not in Missouri anymore!  What a joy to greet the morning like this.  All I need is a run and I am ready for the BIG GAME!!!!  GO CHIEFS!!!  Painting number 2592 in 2592 days.

Mesa Palm

Oh how I love the warm, sunny FEBRUARY days of Arizona!  This gorgeous palm sits out back, basking in that strong sunlight.  What a joy to shed boots and coats for this warmer clime!  As the quail dot in and out of the oleander shade, I watch and sketch.  It takes a little observation to shift my color palette from snowy winter to sunny desert - so on this first painting I get acclimated!  Painting number 2591 in 2591 days.

Lemon and Orange Trees

Arizona for spring break was an amazing idea!  So glad we finally got out to see Mike's parents!  The weather was just like summer - so refreshing after our very long winter!  How nice it was to step out and pick a lemon for my hot tea, and an orange for my breakfast!  Nothing is as good as fresh fruit from the tree!  Painting number 2285 in 2285 days.

Bill and Evelyn's Winter Home

How wonderful to spend family time with Mike's parents at their Arizona home!  The balmy weather was amazing, especially after the long, hard winter.  Getting off the plane in Kansas City to 31 degrees?  Not so amazing.  Longing for summer already!  Painting number 2279 in 2279 days

Sylvester Palm

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I found this amazing vintage Lucky Strike tin in an antique shop, and have repurposed it for my 6x8 Guerrilla Painter pochade.  Loading it with some oils, I will then pop it in the freezer when it gets back home.  I love the convenience of grabbing my palette at a moment's notice for those spontaneous painting windows!  Painting number 2277 in 2277 days.

Arizona Cactus Collection

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Today finds me painting the cactus collection in the front yard! There is an amazing variety of cactus here in Mesa, so this is a wonderful opportunity to practice painting cacti!  The saguaro looms large, towering over the house, and has a surprising amount of yellow green to its skin.  What looks like yellow woodpeckers sit atop this giant, creating holes to burrow into. The weather has been perfect, I think I could live in the 80 degree weather all year long!  Looking forward to a few more cactus studies this week!  Painting number 2276 in 2276 days.

Lemons!

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So fun to walk out and pick a lemon from the tree for my morning tea!  Yum!  As I sketch, Michaela picks lemons, oranges and grapefruit from the trees, getting them ready to ship to family.  Fresh fruit is super delicious!  Painting number 2274 in 2274 days.

Sylvester Palm

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The flora and fauna of the desert are so beautifully different than anywhere else!  This may be my first palm painting ever - and what a special palm!  Inking and painting until form and color align, I find there are some differences in this climate.  The paint truly dries as I work!  Wet paint does not stay wet for long!  The colors are grayed down with plenty of dusty reds involved. The birdsong is also very different, and the hummingbirds fly swiftly around my head as if I'm a flower!  They must not be used to the stillness of an artist at work!  Looking forward to mastering the desert!  Painting number 2273 in 2273 days.