Sentinels of the Desert

Like anywhere, I suppose, it is easy to stop seeing what is most common all around us, and here in Arizona, it is no different. Even though the Saguaro grows nowhere else in the world, people soon stop seeing the uniqueness and distinct character in every pose of these iconic sentinels of the Sonoran Desert.

If you look with an open and creative mind they can represent any myriad of people and objects. Fortunately, unlike many of the great forests of America, the humble Saguaro has been deemed of no commercial value, and most of their original population remains today. Other than those that stood in the path of development, that is.

Here is a watercolor of two fine specimens conversing about the chances of rain.

Author: Ralph Sellers

First of all, let me borrow a line from the Grateful Dead...what a long strange trip its been. I grew up in Appalachia, not far from Wheeling, West Virginia. I decided at seventeen that working in the coal mines was not for me and soon found myself standing at an on-ramp with my thumb out. It was the Sixties and adventure beckoned. I'm a self taught artist, primarily focusing on the natural world. I enjoy painting the flora and fauna of this beautiful planet. I currently live in Arizona, and most of my recent works reflect the inhabitants of the Sonoran desert. View all posts by Ralph Sellers