Springtime on the Desert

Springtime is my favorite time to be on the desert. Everything comes alive almost over night. The desert seems to know it's growing season is limited to a short period before the sun scorches the earth once more. The variety of flowers are as intense as their colors. The flowers of the pepper bush put out a scent to attract the insects so its blossoms will be fertilized. The honey sweetness of it's bloom overwhelms my senses and fills the night air. The flowers I enjoy the most, however, are the members of the cactus family with their neon colors they blind the eye with beauty. I find it hard to resist painting the cactus this time of the year and so I offer these two beauties for your enjoyment. Englemann's Hedgehog 6" x 8" oil and Beaver Tail Prickly-Pear 8" x 6" oil .

Coyote Moon

Here is my offering for the class I teach at Canvas a la Carte tomorrow night. I hope everyone will enjoy doing this whimsical coyote. We hear the Coyotes howling often in Kayenta. When I hear them they always sound so joyful like they just had a long awaited for meal. I think the Coyote in the painting must be well fed as he seems to be smiling. We also see the night sky in this beautiful "dark" community of Kayenta so I added the big dipper.