natureartlife

I have always enjoyed  our distant cousins at the Zoo. I always make it a point to visit the primates as they seem to possess an intelligence similar to our own, and seemingly more than some people I have met. They do more than just casually glance at us as many animals do; they will look directly into your eyes as though they are somehow trying to communicate something.

Anyhow, here is another watercolor from a photo taken at the Phoenix Zoo.

Here is my latest portrait in watercolor and ink.

Sometimes it is really nice to get out to the zoo and see with your own eyes the varied and beautiful inhabitants of our world. At least there is an effort now to place the animals in somewhat of a natural habitat. I always hated seeing them placed into small cages.

The zoo here in Phoenix is a very nice one, but my all time favorite is San Diego, which is truly magnificent in both flora and fauna of the world. If you should ever have the opportunity to visit you will not be disappointed.

Here is a watercolor of an Orangutan that I did from a photograph taken at the Phoenix Zoo.

I thought I would continue the portrait theme at least one more time. This one was done a while back and is in acrylic.  Possibly the greatest guitar player ever, and he was left handed.

I thought I would take a break from the Arizona wildlife and get a little more practice on some portraiture. Here are a couple of sketches I did in the last couple of days.

To be able to cover the vast and open distances of the desert must be the envy of all others.

No doubt the rabbits and squirrels must gaze at the presence of outstretched wings overhead with trepidation, but also a longing to feel the freedom of the skies, to no longer be bound by the limits of gravity.

Come to think of it…me neither.

As long as I can remember I have had a recurring dream of flight, gliding over the hills below me with ease. Needless to say, going to sleep is often much more interesting and enjoyable than waking up.

But, how do they land on all those spines without getting pierced?

Red Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis ) in acrylic.

It had been one of those rare Arizona occurrences. The rain fell in varying degrees throughout the night, occasionally waking me with thoughts of running water in the far too long dry washes. I began formulating a plan to head out at first light with the hope of perhaps getting some photos of a waterfall. The Superstition Mountains and the area to the east provide some spectacular waterfalls if the rain is sufficient.

Heading out bright and early, the rain having ceased, I was soon at the entrance to Hewitt Canyon. Coming to the crossing of Queen Creek I was sadly disappointed to discover it as dry as it had been for too many years. Leaving the narrow rocky road, I opted instead to proceed up the creek bed, following it until it merged again with the road several miles ahead. I would often choose this route as it offered more opportunities for local bird and wildlife photos, and of course solitude.

Traversing the deep sand and skirting the array of rocks and boulders made the trip much more interesting as well. My trusty jeep crawled along at a steady pace, the only sound being made by the sand as it was crushed beneath the tires. The canyon began to narrow as I continued, indicating the point at which the road would again join the wash as there was no longer room to separate them.

Reaching the formidable mouth of the canyon, I looked up at the steep walls and jagged spires towering several hundred feet above me. Much to my surprise, as I had never seen them at this location before, there was a small herd of Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni ).

Quickly changing to my biggest lens, I began getting some great photos. It was truly amazing how they could walk along the seemingly sheer faces of the cliffs as though they were on a Sunday stroll in the park. Normally they stay much higher in the rocks, but today they had descended much lower, perhaps in search of a pool of rainwater. Either way, I was delighted to have the chance at such a close encounter. Eventually they grazed their way back up to the safety of the mountain where few, if any, could follow.

I finished this watercolor this morning.

Any of my artwork is available as a high quality print for as little as 30 dollars in either a 8 x 10 or 8.5 by 11. Domestic shipping is included.  Other sizes are available on request.

After having spent most of the day gradually working my way to the top of Pinal Peak, taking lots of photos, it  was time to make the return journey. It had been an absolutely beautiful day without any disturbances from another human being. Nature at its best.

Pinal Peak rises to nearly 8,000 feet, shadowing the formerly busy mining town of Globe, Arizona; its glory days having long past when the bulk of the copper mining operation ceased.

About a third of the way down the mountain I stopped below the majestic canopy of several sycamore trees to take some more photographs when I heard a rustling in the leaves that littered the ground not far away. Much to my surprise, I spotted a usually very shy and reclusive Coatimundi (Nasua narica).

It was a female being followed by five youngsters trying to keep up with their mothers instructions on the search for food. I am relatively certain she was aware of my presence, but didn’t see me as a threat. She went about her business, pawing the leaves here and there, occasionally discovering something palatable.

I did manage to get several photos before the little troupe disappeared into the woods.

Coatimundi in watercolor.

I thought I would expound a bit more on the Manzanita. Even though you cannot miss the exquisite beauty of the limbs and branches of this incredible species, the small and delicate blossoms can easily be overlooked.  The bloom is brief and without much fanfare, but if you are there at just the right time you will be treated to a bit of icing on the cake.

My most recent watercolor.  Manzanita Blossoms.

I remember the first time I discovered Martinez Canyon. What an incredibly sublime experience it was.  I have heard people talk about the supposed vortex’s located in Sedona, and the energy that is felt there.  I have been to Sedona several times and unfortunately didn’t discover this to be true for me; however, Martinez Canyon is full of magic and mystery. The energy there is truly primeval, subtle, and distinct. I have visited this magical place many times and interestingly, the energy manifests much more strongly when you are alone, which I most often was.

It was once the site of a very productive gold and silver mining operation; the remains of which still exist. The tunnels and shafts, the mill and residences perhaps still contain the ghosts of those that lived and died here, but I think it is far more than that. Something much more ancient exists here; something that cannot be seen, but only felt.  Needless to say, a very haunting place that has drawn me back many times.

It is a place of contrasts. Barren twisted towers of rock  preside over the niches of green far below in the shadowy recesses of this magnificent hidden canyon. There are huge old Cottonwood trees, Ash and Oak, and even a few berry bushes. The spring runs most of the year; not only providing life to the local furred and feathered inhabitants, but also the music not often heard in the usually dry lower elevation canyons, as it gurgles and splashes in the rocks and fallen leaves.

Acrylic on canvas.