Artistic Communication: Sharing a Feeling
Creating from memory - true to experience
Cactacious - Digital Painting 2005
This is a painting from memory of the Joshua Forest Parkway on US Highway 93 between Kingman and Phoenex, AZ - more specifically, the section where there are both Joshua Trees in the foreground and the Saguaro Cactus on the slopes behind.
The Joshua Tree had a big impact on me. They look like they are from another planet - tree-like at the bottom - they are spiked with ferocity. Not only do we need to be careful or distant, but it seems they need space from themselves as well - as they do not grow close together. They are also very slow growers and can get up to a 1000 years old.
I keep saying that I am more concerned with feeling than literalness of what I am painting. Though I am fairly true to the landscape and look of the two species, some of the colors and specifics of the scene are created to be more interesting to the eye.
With that said, I still believe this is a piece mostly about recording/recognizing a really wonderful experience and keeping alive some of the feeling.
See Also
- Simi Dimbah Steel Sculptures
Sculptor clearly influenced by desert and Joshua Trees - The life cylcle of Saguaro Cactus
additional link from in text with more info on cactus - Joshua Trees
Mojave National Preserve - tells additional info from link in text about Joshua Trees
