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. 

Grafted Cacti

The best part of this artist life is getting to paint a different place every day!  The Monday Morning Watercolorists met at Suburban Lawn and Garden this week, where we painted for two hours, then shared our work before shopping the nursery!  After painting the vibrant colors of these Moon Cacti, I chose three to bring home to fill a small terrarium that looks like a conservatory.  This place is so welcoming, offering us veggies, dip and cookies while we painted!  What a lovely break from another very busy day!  Painting number 3297 in 3297 days. 

Moon Cacti

Love the vibrant "moons" sitting atop these tiny cacti!  I have three of these at home in yellow, red and red orange, so of course I needed the burgundy one to add to my collection!  This one is a miniature at only 3x3 inches square.  I have sketched quickly with an almost empty black ink fountain pen, watercolored, then added a little more ink from another pen - Robert Oster's Great Southern Ocean.  It is a really lovely ink pushing turquoise, and fun to add to colorful scenes such as outdoor floral work. I don't think I used it all winter, it just didn't match my surroundings.  As spring approaches, I'll be pulling it out more often!  Painting number 2974 in 2974 days.