Fence Post Cactus II.

The Beginning of the Second Canvas

 You recall I am painting a triptych (three canvases that will hang together) of Fence Post Cactus, or plants that look or fit that general description, and that I completed the first canvas.  So now, here is the beginning of the second canvas.

It's a Browningia hertlingiana....quite a mouth full.  These magnificent plants which live in the dry valleys of Peru grow to 33 feet tall.  Substantial.  I particularly like the faceted look of the plant parts;  like little jewels.

This Browningia hertlingiana has wickedly spiky, sharply pointed, long thorns to protect those little jewels.

It is a slow process to brush on each thorn, but it is rewarding to see the plant come to life on the canvas.  First the thorns go on and secondly the shadows they cast. After the addition of a few minor high lights,  it will be time to begin the third canvas.  

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Fence Post Triptych - Part I

Here It Is !

This is the first of three Fence Post Cactus paintings, designed to be hung together. Designed to celebrate the unique character of these fabulous plants that survive the baking and freezing temperatures of the desert where they live.

In a highly stylized presentation, this Stenocereus eruca sports wicked thorns, and wild curves.  A columnar cactus that can grow to 50' high is indigenous to the southern US and Mexico.

Come back to see the next in the triptych...it's on my easel now.

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Desert Art

Goal Accomplished!!!

Prickly Pear Blossom II

30 x 48

It's good to set goals and even better to reach them.  So what is a goal, anyway??  In this case it is not those upright posts through which someone kicks or carries a ball, but a desire that is important enough to a person that it requires effort to reach. Earlier this week I knew I wanted to complete this painting before leaving my studio for Holiday travel,  so I set the goal of having it done by the end of the week. 

It did take some effort.  Making time to paint during this busy month took effort, so did standing there dipping the brush into the pigment and applying it to the canvas. And it took the effort of balancing the color and values. Dare I say it took effort to claim the work complete?

Effort aside, it's done, and it is the end of the week.  Goal reached, goal accomplished.  Kicked that ball through the uprights!  Metaphorically anyway.

Time to set new goals.

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99 Bucks

It's That Time Of Year!

Time for 99 Bucks!  Well, it's almost that time, it's just a couple weeks away.  Saturday, April 13 at Hotel Zozo in Palm Springs, 4:30 PM.  Mark you calendars.

These are a few of the hundreds of small canvases that will be available for purchase:



Good things come in small packages!  Each year Artist Council members and their friends solicit artwork on 5" x 7" canvases from celebrities and artists from around the state, the nation and the world.  At the 99 Bucks sale, hundreds of these artworks are displayed and each only costs $99.  The hook: the buyer doesn't know who created the art until he or she owns it.  You never know whose work might be hanging in your home....

It's a great and fun event, attended by throngs (over 1000 art lovers) who all rush into the gallery at once, snapping up original art at this wonderful price.  The energy in the room is incredible.  The money raised by the event goes to the Artists' Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum to further efforts of art education to the residents of the Coachella Valley benefiting youth and adults.

Click HERE to go to the on-line gallery where you see all of the little canvases that will be available at 99 Bucks each.  Hopefully I will see you at Hotel Zozo on April 13 at 4:30 PM.

To contact me click HERE

To visit my web site click HERE