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.

Rising Creek

purchase here

I'm trying a new handmade watercolor paper today - Shizen 100% cotton rag.  Shopping at Artists and Craftsman supply store with my award card from the Celebration show, I nearly bought out these papers in almost every size!  I've not used them until now, but the look and feel convinced me. The fine tip India ink seems to glide over the surface, but my fountain pen performs as usual, feeling very natural.  And this may have been my first hot press paper ever!  Painting number 2557 in 2557 days.