Cactus Skeletons

Cacti Certainly are Captivating

​I've had a lifelong fascination with cacti in Arizona. I distinctly remember my first run-in with a Jumping Cactus as a young child. Quite painful. As a teen, I loved to draw them. Especially the majestic saguaros.  When I was in college, my first art award was for a cactus scene of the desert.

For every out-of-state guest that our family takes on a drive or a simple desert hike, it's always the cacti they want to stop and gape at. Even that reaction isn't comparable to the amazement visitors have at finding their 1st cactus skeleton. They are absolutely fascinating. I've seen visitors to the Sonoran desert go bonkers over a small cactus skeleton the length of my hand. These beautiful wood-like objects honestly look like they're from another world.

I've discovered that I really enjoy the challenge of seeing, with my paintbrush, the nooks and crannies that swirl around the porous tubes left behind by a dead cactus.  They're beautiful and mysterious. Just the kind of thing I love to explore through painting.

This is my newest painting of a Cholla Cactus Skeleton. Named "Cactus Skeleton Revisited" it's 16"x40" - acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas and available to buy. Click on the photo for purchasing details.  And I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts about this particular piece. TY!

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