Category Archives: Cactus

Ford Canyon Trail, Maricopa County, AZ

I’m hiking as much as I can while I spend a few weeks of winter in Arizona. Each hike I determine to see at least one wondrous sight. Sometimes I see the rare desert pool of water, sometimes I see a herd of deer, perhaps a lizard or an early blooming of cactus. Most frequentlyContinue reading “Ford Canyon Trail, Maricopa County, AZ”

San Pedro Cactus 2

The San Pedro Cactus is a gorgeous plant. They grow tall and wide and have straight regular columns or can be quite gnarly and contorted, depending on the growing environment and genetic mutations. The one I’ve painted is of the gnarly type. It grows at altitudes of 2-3,000 ft and is a known hallucinogen. What’sContinue reading “San Pedro Cactus 2”

Jojoba and Ferocactus

While in Arizona I try to hike every day. The temperature is still below 70 degrees F. during the day, perfect for walking. I walk in one of the Maricopa County Regional Parks, a wild and varied landscape with lots of rocks, animals and plants. I’m always looking for my next painting when I’m there.

Buckthorn Cholla

The Buckthorn Cactus, botanically known as Cylindropuntia acanthocarpia, is a native of the Sonoran Desert. It’s flowers are yellow or red with shades in between that bloom in spring. The cane-like stalks are covered with thorns and grow in tangled clumps in dry, arid landscape. The flowers are quite showy and bees love ’em.

Field of Chollas

Chollas are botanically in the subfamily of Opuntioideae, the same family which includes cactus’s with broad, flat leaves. The leaves of the Cholla are round-ish and really spiny. They quickly become stuck to any object that comes close to it. Their spines hurt and aren’t easy to remove once impaled in either fabric, fur orContinue reading “Field of Chollas”

Claret Cup Cactus – Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Artists pigments on 140# hot press paper, masked border, initialed on front, dated, signed and titled on back8 on back $30 USD, $4 to ship https://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/956540

Fountain

The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ, has so many little niches, secluded corners and hidden respites. They’re are all delightfully designed and full of life and beauty. The little fountain shown here is one such place. Come visit the garden. $20 USD, $3 to ship https://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/956728

San Pedro Cactus

This cactus blooms during the cool hours of the day and will turn black in a few hours. A rosey red fruit will form in the weeks after to blossom is gone. The botanical name for this plant is Echinopsis pachanoi. 60 USD, $5 to ship https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/jean-krueger/san-pedro-cactus/715272

Bees and San Pedro Cactus

I was delighted to come across this scene while walking, bees and cacti interacting. Both are topics I really like to portray, I am fascinated by the shapes and geometries of both. I love botanical paintings. $60 USD, $5 to ship https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/jean-krueger/san-pedro-cactus/715272

Aloes

Aloes abound at the Desert Botanical Garden, Some small and some that tower overhead. They lift and spread in serpentine waves crowned in the spring with orange yellow red spike of blooms. Come to the garden! https://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/956727

Mexican Fence Post Cactus – Pachycereus marginatus

Mexican Fence Post Cactus – Pachycereus marginatus, pastel on hardboard, 20×16″, 2018, copyrighted with all rights reserved by Jean Krueger The Mexican Fence Post is a species originating in Central Mexico. These grow to heights of 12 or more feet and have a diameter of 3 to 8″. Its star-shape cross section can have fromContinue reading “Mexican Fence Post Cactus – Pachycereus marginatus”

Opuntia

Opuntia, watercolor, 8×6″, 2018, copyrighted with all rights reserved by Jean Krueger Dozens of varieties of Opuntia are in bloom in these early May days in Arizona. I found this blossom at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. I’m inspired in this painting by the semi-transparent petals and the contrast of vermilion against aquas, greensContinue reading “Opuntia”

White Tanks Park, Maricopa County

White Tanks Park, Maricopa County, Pastel on paper,2018, 12×9″, copyrighted with all rights reserved by Jean Krueger The desert blooms in the spring. This is a variety of Cholla with mostly green blossoms. https://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/836760