Spring in the Desert - pastel

Here is a pastel completed a few days ago, based on a photo taken while on the Ironwood NM drive.  The fields of poppies - they are just irresistible for photography subjects.

This was done using primarily Nupastels, with a few softer MV's and Senneliers for the sky and poppies.  A combination of scumbling with the sides of the softer pastels, along with short strokes, is what I used for the sky.  I admire the way some pastelists are able to accomplish their blending by using this technique, and the Strathmore seemed well-suited to practicing the technique.  I also discovered that, with this paper anyway, it works best to put in the sky colors and then apply the sparse, branching foliage and stems over it; adding blue skyholes ran the risk of smearing the darker colors.

Spring in the Desert

9x12",  Strathmore Artagain paper

Desert Wildflower Series - #2

Here are the next set of photos of spring wildflowers.  These were taken in Ironwood Forest National Monument. A dirt road heads through Avra Valley, going past the still-active Silverbell mine and west of Silverbell Peak through the Ironwood NM.  and heading west behind the mountains.

Desert Sunflower

Wild Heliotrope - variant

This is identical to the photos shown of the normally purple wild heliotrope, so I assume it is a white variation/subspecies.

Fiddleneck

Small yellow flowers appear along the curved, hair-covered stem of this plant

Clump of Blue Phacelia

These flowers, shown in a cluster here, are frequently found growing in large groups under various shrubs.  A rocky area on the side of the road that appeared blue caught my eye; it was a small field of these flowers.  

Wild Hyacinth, redux

Another photo of this attractive flower, taken along a hike in a wash near Ragged Top Mtn. outside of the Ironwood NM.

Along the Trails - pastel

These are two pastels completed a few weeks ago while I was still in Bisbee.  During my time there, I would hike or trail run the nearby trails in the Mule Mtns. when weather and time (and my energy level) permitted.   Having such easy access to such great trails that gave both an excellent workout and views was  something I'll always love about Bisbee.

These were based on photos taken on the same day, on the same trail.  The trail begins at the terminus of the road/locale in Bisbee known as "Brewery Gulch".   The paved road in town curves around as it heads north, passing by businesses and residences.  It eventually turns to a dirt road, going through a very run-down area of dwellings that look better suited for condemnation than living space.  The road contours the drainage through Zacatecas Canyon, which is where the trail begins.  During the first part of my stay, the creek was dry.   For the last two months, however, it had variable amounts of water.  Along the trail are old rock retaining walls, the only remains of old miner's homes from the early 19th century.  A series of step, or check, dams are present along the drainage.  These were built by the CCC in order to help control the flash flooding that occurs each summer during the monsoons.

Both paintings were done on Canson paper.  The first is heading up Zacatecas.  The creek is to the left, not visible.  It is a composite - the clouds were based on another photo taken about 20 min. earlier on the traverse trail.  It's heavily blended, and a bit over-worked, I think, particularly the grasses to the right.  The second, in contrast, was done in 30 min., with the intent being to keep the painting loose and being more attentive to values and shapes than color.  It is heading back down the trail, and the north facing slope is in shadow.  The creek is now on the right side.  The cumulus cloud?  From my head.  It probably looks that way, which is 100% okay.   I've always liked those dramatic clouds seen in the Arts & Craft-era posters, so this is like that.

I take photos of the trail on every hike I do, so there will no doubt be more in the future...

Trail up Zacatecas Cyn

9x12"

My favorite part of this painting is the bush in the right foreground.

Down Zacatecas Cyn

12x9"

This is a bit lighter and less saturated than in real life.  

Desert Wildflower Series - #1

Happy Easter to those who celebrate this holiday in any fashion.  For me, Easter is a celebration of renewal and rebirth of nature.  The days are getting longer and the temperatures are warmer and living things shake off the dark cast of winter and begin to show themselves.   Everyone, whether they observe this as a holiday or not, associate flowers with Easter.

So, as promised, here is the first set of photos showcasing some of the lovely wildflowers found in the desert.   Using some field guides available here at the public library branch, I've identified them by their common name where possible.

There is a misconception (aka a "negative stereotype") by many people who live on the east coast that the desert is a dry, desolate place where nothing grows except maybe tumbleweed and a few scattered cacti, and is teeming with rattlesnakes and scorpions.   Let these images put that ignorance to rest!

Mexican Poppies

Large areas are carpeted with bright Mexican poppies in this area at the base of a slope in Saguaro National Park west.  Typical Sonoran desert vegetation is seen in the background:  saguaro cacti; paloverde tree, creosote (aka greasewood) bush, and various cholla.

Poppies in detail

A cluster of Mexican poppies is shown, along with a few yellow Bladderpods.

Wild Hyacinth 

Another, unfortunate, name for this lovely member of the lily family is "bluedicks".  I prefer wild hyacinth myself.  

Poppies and Cholla

Another patch of the colorful poppies surrounding some cholla cacti in Saguaro National Park.  Poppies close at night and do not open until the sun is well up in the sky; this makes for difficulty obtaining superb photos because of the lighting issue.  

Desert Chicory

These flowers are frequently found in groups alongside Mojave lupine.

This particular image was taken in Ironwood National Monument, west of Saguaro Nat. Park.

Trio of Skies - pastel

Today, I finally got around to taking photos of the pastels I've completed in the past couple of weeks, including two done last night.  I'll spread them out in a few different posts.

For whatever reason, I've been using more non-sanded paper for doing pastels.  It's not that I like the texture or surface better than sandpaper, because I don't.  However, they do, in some ways, require more planning to use, and I have found this to be useful in a "discipline" sort of way:  the paper surfaces of Mi-Tientes and a new paper I've been using, Strathmore 400-series Artagain, don't allow for the layering that the sanded papers do (the quality that makes them so wonderful to work on).  Thus, a bit more care must be taken when laying down the pastel, and the usual "light over dark" layering techniques don't work so much.  I've been focusing on doing quick (~30-60) min. studies on these papers, and trying to avoid getting too fussy with the paintings or the details.  Sometimes, I'm even successful to that end!

Anyway, here are a trio of cloudscapes I've painted.  They are shown in chronological order painted.  The first was done a few weeks ago when I was still in Bisbee; the second done about 1 1/2 weeks ago, and the third was completed last night (under the influence of a glass of wine).  I've attempted to correct the photographs in PE to what they look like in life, but as usual, they fall a bit short.   Discussion follows each painting.

A note about the Strathmore Artagain paper:  It is a 400-series (acid-free), black paper that is "lightly textured".  In reality, its texture is like construction paper - smoother than regular drawing paper but not as smooth as something like Bristol.  I really like working on a black surface; it makes the colors pop, particularly when the pastel is not blended.

Afternoon Cumulus

pastel on Canson, 9x12"

Based on a composite of two photos - one for the clouds and the other (taken at the same time) showing the distal mountains (Mules, viewed from the west)  with the cloud shadows falling on them.   I am not thrilled with the way the lower/distal cloud layer on the right side looks; the perspective is a bit off.  

Dancing Clouds

pastel on Strathmore Artagain, 12x9"

This was my first use of this paper.  The reference photo was one of dozens I took from the backyard of the Jonquil, of the clouds and the hillside.  I'm not thrilled with it - while the colors are okay, the clouds themselves didn't turn out as I'd hoped - they look stiff and I didn't take quite as much time as I should have to get the shapes correct from the photo.  The hillside itself could use a bit more warmth in the palette; I was using two new Richeson handmade pastels I'd purchased that same day.  If I were doing this over (maybe I will in oils someday), I'd add more orange to the land.  

Stormclouds Over Mule Mtns.

pastel on Artagain paper, 9x12"

Based on a photo taken on the same day, but different location and time, as the first photo above.  I think I may have unsaturated the photo a bit while trying to correct it; the subtle pinks, yellows and lavender-grays used don't show that well.  I also notice now that I cropped out the foreground area, which was darker than the mountains, and lent a sense of depth and scale to the painting - oops!  A variety of brands - Unison, Sennelier and Mt. Visions - were used for the clouds.  The late afternoon light cast subtle shadows on the southern face of the Mules, and a light touch of pastel was all it took to capture that.  No finger blending used on this - just layering and scumbling.  I'm glad I resisted the urge to finger blend here.  It was completed in ~35-45 min. 

Sky Friday: A Desert Sunset

The skies of southern AZ are nothing if variable and unpredictable.  During my stay in Bisbee, I never ceased to be amazed by the variation in the clouds, both from day to day, and even changes throughout the day.  The same appears to be the case with the Tucson area, although even in the short time I've been here, distinct differences between the Bisbee area and Tucson.  That isn't a surprise, given the conditions under which various types of clouds form and how geographically localized weather can be.

Tucson is situated in a large basin surrounded by mountain ranges in all four directions:  the Santa Catalinas to the north; the Rincons to the east, the Santa Ritas to the south and the much lower Tucson mountains to the west.  Even on the best days, it is covered in human-generated haze and particulates of the  desert kicked up during winds and thermals.  These all have interesting influences on the clouds and sky colors.  Haze, smog and pollution actually result in a more brilliant sunset due to the particles reflecting light in a wider spectrum than with a clear sky.

On Monday, March 22, my second day in Tucson, I was able to head out and get some sunset shots from Saguaro National Park west, a few miles from where my mother lives.  As with sunsets I've shot in the Bisbee area, the clouds show variability when viewed from 360 degrees.

Saguaro National Park makes a beautiful base for the sunsets, both with its mountains and the silhouetted forms of the Sonoran desert flora.

I hope you enjoy this spring sunset from the Sonoran desert:

Late afternoon

These sweeping altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus clouds cover the western sky.

Remodeling

A short period later, and slightly to the south, the colors now show the variation of the different cloud types - smooth and flowing to cobbled and erratic.  The saguaros, however, hold their ground.

Looking East

A double layer of lenticular clouds form over the Catalinas.  Snow is visible on the upper peaks, giving an indication as to their elevation.  Lenticular clouds form when air currents flow over mountains, producing a shear that forms the characteristic shapes.  The lower hills of the Tucson Mtns. are seen in the foreground.  

Sunset 

The peak of this particular sunset.  No bright reds or brilliant pinks or purples as often seen with the Bisbee sunets; these are a range of yellows and oranges.

Twilight in the Desert

This view, slightly northwest, is what the sky looked like after the sun had set.  No fiery colors in the sky tonight.  

Rock Art Series - San Pedro River #2

Here is the second set of rock art from the San Pedro River.  These panels, approximately 1/4 mile north and slightly west of the previous, are located about 200 meters from the San Pedro itself.  They are part of a huge rock outcrop area, and I suspect there were probably several others located on rocks above and out of view of these main petroglyphs.  Due to weather conditions, a weary dog, and the presence of numerous thorny shrubs, such as catclaw acacia, that managed to shred exposed areas of my arms and legs, I opted not to explore further than I did.

Solo Deer

Three's a Crowd

These charming stick people are a common motif of Hohokam rock art.  

Concentric Circles, joined

These abstract designs are thought to possibly be astronomical or possibly a shamanistic "vision" in nature.   An enigmatic image, to be sure.

Snake and multi-limbed figure (centipede?)

These look to be done at different times by different artists, based on the line forms.  They may have been done hundreds of years apart, in fact.

Connected boxes

The large panel of connected box shapes is referred to as a "pipette" by the author of the South Mtn. rock art book.  These occur frequently in the South Mountains, which are about 200 miles away.  

References and further reading on the Hohokam, rock art, and other indigenous peoples of AZ:

Bostwick, Todd W.  Landscape of the Spirits:  Hohokam Rock Art at South Mountain Park.  University of AZ Press, 2002.

Reid, James Jefferson.  The Archaeology of Ancient Arizona.  University of AZ Press, 1997