Moon Cactus

I come to my easel late tonight, after a gorgeous day spent outside gardening and painting the wood for the new garden gate.  At 64 degrees, I could hardly spend this January day another way with so many tasks piled up.  The cows, chickens and sunset were all calling out to be painted, but I just could not answer that call.  So, I choose this flashy moon cactus to paint, in honor of the bright full moon outdoors.  I am exploring what my fountain pen inks can do, on paper I do not like. These Diamine inks are very fluid, and mingle with water.  The colors separate with a will of their own, making each painting completely one of a kind.  When I don't have much time, I turn to a miniature ATC sized paper which I cut up from scrap paper, or papers that don't make the cut for my regular work.  It's the perfect way to use them in a playful manner, and see if perhaps a certain method could make them acceptable.  It's all about the process after all.  Painting number 4752 in 4752 days, just over 13 years for daily painting and posting.  Wowza. 

Prickly Pear Cactus

I sketched this lovely prickly pear at the top of the Window Trail Loop as we played with Casper and Kirby. These beauties are abundant here, so I captured them with pen and ink on the aged pages of one of my favorite travel journals.  We enjoyed prickly pear shiners and prickly pear tacos that were amazing, too!  These come in shades of yellow green to purplish pink, and I can't wait to paint them in oil and watercolor, too!  Painting number 5100 in 5100 days.  

Totem Pole Cactus

 This little ink and watercolor painting has a fun story attached!  While out on my morning run, I ran past this super cool cactus, sitting on a chair, with a FREE sign behind it!  I kept running, but as I ran I knew I had to return for it.  Grabbing a bag at the house I ran back to retrieve it.  I took a quick photo and carried it back like a baby - a 4 foot long baby!  Can't wait to get my new baby home to live inside in Missouri! And, of course, I had to paint it!  Painting number  3376 in 3376.

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. 

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.

Arizona Cactus Collection

purchase here

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.