While fishing at Lake Pleasant in Arizona, this mallard came to visit. We’d seen him with his mate many times before, swimming in the distance. This was the first time either had floated close to shore let alone hopped up on a rock to be photographed. I was delighted and honored.
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.
The white bass are still biting at Lake Pleasant in Maricopa County, AZ. This is a view of the embankment at the lake shore. Ted’s doing the fishing, I take pictures, pic up fistfuls of discarded fishing line and look for lost Rolex’s on the beach.
Looking North, monsoon day.
Aloe Vera, Pastel on Paper, 14×11″, 2018, copyrighted with all rights reserved by Jean Krueger
This plant is found at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. I’ll add the the botanic information as soon as I can, probably after a trip to the Garden itself. I was attracted by the red-yellow blooms supported on purple stalks, cradled in a wreath of green-aqua-magenta-alizarin foliage. What’s not to love?
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Comanche Trail, pastel on board, 12×16″, 2018, copyrighted by Jean Krueger with all rights reserved
The late summer air in the alpine landscape is still warm, 60-65 degrees F, although the wind can gust and make it feel cooler. But when I hike I’m in a sleeveless shirt and with pantlegs rolled up, working up a head of steam. The sky is just as blue as the pastels show and the grasses are drying, dying to naples yellow and light buff. However, those evergreens will weather all seasons looking just like they do today.
Winter Opuntia, soft pastel on sandere paper, 12″ x 9″, 2018, copyrighted with all rights reserved by Jean Krueger
Flat, late afternoon sun on a cold winter day in a dry Arizona desert made this prickly pear cactus jump with color and shadow. I saw it on the way back to the car after fishing…no bites that day.
Detail, Winter Opuntia
https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/jean-krueger/winter-opuntia/659835
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.
Bougainvillea, pastel on paper, 2018, 9×12″, copyrighted with all rights reserved by Jean Krueger
Back-lighted bougainvillea as seen on a morning walk.
Argentine Giant Cacti – Echinopsis candicans, 12×9″, 2018, copyrighted with all rights reserved by Jean Krueger
This cactus grows in our neighborhood. It is low to the ground and spreads by growing outward from its middle. It blooms at night and has deliciosly fragrant blooms.The blooms when open are about 12″ across and closely spaced. A Giant Argentine Cactus in bloom is quite a sight to see.
Portico, pastel on paper, 9×12″, copyrighted with all rights reserved by Jean Krueger
This was painted at an Arizona plein air event.
Opuntia – Spring, Pastel on board, 11×14″, copyrighted with all rights reserved by Jean Krueger
Evening sun, Opuntia in bloom.
Artichokes, Pastel on Sanded, 12×9″, 2017 by Jean Kruegercopyrighted with all rights reserved
These artichokes are from Rome.
https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/jean-krueger/artichokes/641284
Symmetrical Asymmetry – Cactus, Pastel on Board, 16×20″, 2017, by Jean Krueger, copyrighted with all rights reserved.
This plant grows in a traffic median close to where I stay. I’ve been watching it over the years and it’s grown large and gnarly. I don’t know the name of the species but continue to search for it.
Cacti are generally quite symmetrical in their growth patterns. This example tries to defy that truism with it’s asymmetrical branching. However, the undulating surface of the branches, while not symmetrical, follows in a pattern which repeats somewhat symmetrically. I find that feature fascinating.
Detail
Detail
Tropical Depression, 20 x 14″, pastel in Arches 140# CP
Being American, being of a nature that celebrates variety and a se la vie attitude towards most matters, I must admit that I had a real sense of depression and loss with regard to the US election results. I’ve been painting this since the day of the election and it took longer than most. I couldn’t find graphic resolution to it’s design. Sorta like I can’t find emotional resolution to why the US electorate had such sorry candidates as presidential nominees.
But it’s done like this painting is done. God bless us all. It is what it is.
Jean Krueger Fine Art 