Painted Desert

Painted Desert

3 of 30

Oil 11" x 14"  

$295.00 + $20. s/h

I loved the way the light and shadow created brushstrokes of color across the Arizona desert.  When I say the word "desert" to myself I think of the Sahara, rolling hills and bluffs of sand constantly changing in the wind.  The Arizona desert isn't like that at all.  Yes, the wind and erosion cause change in the land, but it is full of color and drama.  

These are all just photos shot out the car window, but I love how they show the light, shadow, and drama of the area.

Arizona Again

Arizona Again
2 of 30
Oil 5" x 7"
$75.00 + $10. s/h

This is another sky from our recent trip through Arizona.  I loved how the ground appeared so violet.  I can't tell you how many times on our trip we both said that the landscape looked just like "Arizona Highways" magazine.  Of course it did!

When we travel we try to take as many back roads as possible and only when necessary drive on interstates.  Our drive from San Diego was interstate to eastern California, then when we hit Yuma, Arizona we headed north on hiway 95 to Quartzite.  From there we headed over to hiway 60/89 northeast through Prescott, toward Flagstaff.  Once there we headed further northeast on hiway 160 to Kayenta, which is near Monument Valley in northeast Arizona.  I'd never been to any of these towns before.  It was a beautiful several days.  I am lucky that we have the time to drive and explore the many small towns, state and national parks, and historic sites along the way.  There are certainly an unlimited amount of paintings just waiting for me!

Arizona Sky

Arizona Sky
Painting 1 of 30
Oil  5" x 7"
$75.00 + $10. s/h

My husband and I just got home from a two week road trip.  We drove from Colorado Springs to San Diego for Christmas.  We spent 8 days on the road and 6 days in California.  Both of our grown kids flew in for the holiday.  A wonderful time was had by all.

We love to travel, and take trips as often as we can.  This was a great opportunity to see parts of Utah, Nevada and Arizona that we hadn't visited before.  We didn't always have great weather and weren't able to hike as much as we'd thought. I continue to love that we do live in a great, big beautiful country!  This painting shows the Arizona desert in the foreground and the mountains of Colorado in the background.  It wasn't too far from the Four Corners.

In fact, here I am standing on the Four Corners.  It's the only spot in the US where four states meet.  It's on the Navajo Nation.

I've decided to participate in Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days.  I was really hesitant to get involved as one of my personal goals is to paint more large pieces and I can't paint 30 large paintings in 30 days. But, when I reread her description she said to have fun.  So, I'll do my best!  Arizona Sky is Day 1 of 30.  Go to her site and see all of the posted paintings.

Monument Valley IV

6" x 6" oil on gessoed masonite

$100.00 + $10. s/h

please contact me if interested

Do you remember those tv commercials where the pick-up was sitting on top of the monolith?  You wondered how they got it up there.  I, with my fear of heights wondered how the driver could be up there!  Those commercials, and many movies were filmed at Monument Valley.  It's amazing when you see the rock formations from far away, and even more amazing when you get close-up.  

The pictures below show some of the petroglyphs in the back area of Monument Valley.  Some are protected with a fence, some you can drive right up to.

Monument Valley III

 

5" x 7"  oil on gessoed masonite

$100.00 + $10. s/h

please contact me if interested

One of the great things about being an artist is that you take what you see, whether it be a landscape, still life or figure, and put down your feelings toward that and share it with others.  It would be hard for me to paint something well if I didn't feel something for that.  I paint a lot of landscapes because I love the out of doors.

Monument Valley is a place that when you visit you are so awed by your surroundings.  Yes, it's bleak, but it is impressive, amazing, breathtaking.

When we retired our son gave us the book "501 Must See Destinations".  Monument Valley is one of those destinations. "It is the quintessential desert landscape defining the American West."

Monument Valley II

5" x 7" oil on gessoed masonite
$100.00 + $10. s/h
please contact me if interested

With this study I toned the bottom half of the panel with violet and the top half with yellow ochre.  Normally I tone the whole canvas in yellows/oranges.  But, wanted to see what the earth would look like with a different tone peeking through.  I like the result.

Monument Valley is on the border of Utah and Arizona on the Navajo Nation.  You can drive yourself around the front of the area, but we wanted to go back deep into the Navajo Tribal Park (30,000 acres), so took a 3 hour tour with a local Navajo.  This way we got to see the incredible geologic formations, monoliths, petroglyphs, and pictographs.  We also got an insight into their present day lifestyle and cultural history.