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. 

Bajada Wash Trail

Only the second entry in my vintage travel journal, I sketch the Bajada Wash Trail at the Saguaro National Park.  It's so beautiful with it's desert colors, filled with hundreds of saguaro cacti!  They only grow in a small area of Arizona, and are protected here.  It is hard to imagine their size without a person standing by one - they are gigantic!  An Arizona hairy scorpion dashed out in front of me as I was climbing to find a better trail for Michaela!  Since she was carrying Casper on her back, she couldn't make the steep climb on the trail. So glad that scorpion didn't sting me!  They are aggressive and painful!  Who knew there were so many scorpions here?  Love pen and ink for this scene - I'm going to really enjoy filling the pages of this journal with my travel adventures! Painting number 3389 in 3389 days. 

Goldfield Mountains in fountain pen ink

I sketched this lovely place in pen and ink yesterday, for my first entry in my travel journal.  Wanting to explore the vibrant color of this place, I am experimenting with fountain pen inks. I first sketched in the landscape with a half dry India ink pen.  Laying a bead of color with a dropper at the darkest part of a mass, I then went in with juicy wet wash brush, allowing the ink to spread at will.  To those very wet masses I added more color with my glass dip pen, letting the inks mingle. These inks are all from the 2021 Diamine Inkvent Calendar, and I chose the ones nearest the actual colors.  Some shimmer and sheen, so each mass has unique properties.  I even added a tiny bit of bleach water to a couple of areas, to see the reaction, just like a science experiment!  There is something about the strong color that is very appealing to me!  I so love the process of art exploration!  Painting number 3381 in 3381 days. 

Goldfield Mountain Inked

There is something very exciting about filling the very first page of a sketchbook.  This beautiful leather-bound book with dyed handmade paper is a treasure I picked up at a local market in Mesa.  Vintage in style, one of a kind, this book called to me immediately.  It was love at first glance, full of promise and dreams of places yet undiscovered, waiting to be sketched on it's pages.  So, I am starting with Arizona, and the rugged lines of the Goldfield Mountains.  I plan to use only pen and ink in this book, honoring the timeless handcrafted materials.  Only the best places will find themselves on these pages, and I'm so excited to start this journey.  Painting number 3380 in 3380 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. 

Blevin Trail

What a joy it is to hike a new trail in the Arizona mountains!  The mountains make a fabulous backdrop to the desert landscape - and the gardener in me LOVES exploring the local cacti in the wild!  The Blevin trail is an beautiful hike through the desert, crossing a couple of washes in this rocky terrain.  There were several horses and riders on these trails - it was fun to see them!  It felt just like stepping into a western movie!  Painting number 2599 in 2599 days.

Superstition Mountain

Superstition Mountain is a stand out in the Arizona landscape - especially in this light!  Taking some time to see the Goldfield ghost town with the family, these mountains are the backdrop for the town.  The weather is perfect - and almost always sunny - which is certainly a welcome treat this time of year!  I think I will be returning to snow and cold - but this February day, I bask in the sun!!  Painting number 2598 in 2598 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.

Hiking Cathedral Rock

Sedona is a gorgeous place for all things outdoors!  From hiking to sketching, there is a view in every direction.  This scene is on the hiking trail up Cathedral Rock, and sketched in ink.  I later came in with watercolors to capture those luscious red rocks.  Painting number 2294 in 2294 days.

Warrior 2 in Sedona

Yoga is an amazing way to center oneself, and gain strength through very thoughtful moves.  I like it best in the evening to unwind from a busy day, relaxing in the moment.  I have many favorite poses, but this Warrior 2 pose feels very empowering.  I'm drawing this one as a pre- sketch for a painting I plan to do for an upcoming "Beautiful Light" show at the Buttonwood, benefiting the Metropolitan Council for Community Mental Health Centers.  I'm thinking of watercolor batik.... Painting number 2291 in 2291 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.

Cathedral Rock Perch

These rocks are gorgeous as one drives towards Sedona. I was not prepared for how breathtaking they really are from the top of Cathedral Rock.  With a view that unfolds for miles, many formations can be seen in the distance.  The red color is so striking, it is a challenge just to match it - red oxide is a must for this blend.  I wish I had more time to hike each trail and capture the beauty in oils - I will definitely have to return!  Painting number 2280 in 2280 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

Sedona, AZ

The rich color in these rock formations of Sedona is a joy to capture with ink and watercolor! With a painting at every turn - how is an artist to choose just one?  Instead of finishing my lunch - I just had to get in a painting in before hiking in this beautiful place!  I definitely need more time here!  Painting number 2278 in 2278 days.  Who knew the desert could be so beautiful?

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.