Brilliance

Conditions here in the desert are harsh, the heat rises and water becomes scarce. Plant life struggles along with the creatures who live here, even color seems to fade away until finally after a long dry summer, the rains come.  A mild winter follows, along with the beautiful cool temperatures that draw us all here and outdoors. Spring in the desert always seems to amaze me, this explosion of color that seems a gift each year. Painting these Cholla blooms I could not help but think them as flames busting forth under the harshest of conditions. Out of the ashes…stunning life.

Living in Phoenix now my mind wonders through the myth of the Phoenix bird rising through the flames. This brilliant creature has colorful plumage with a long lifespan that is cyclically regenerated or reborn. Associated with the sun, when the Phoenix bird grows old, it builds a nest, then stands in it and is consumed by fire, from the ashes a new Phoenix emerges. The Phoenix  has come to symbolize renewal and resurrection, as well as the sun and time. The Phoenix was subsequently adopted as a symbol in early Christianity as well, being viewed as a metaphor for Christ’s resurrection.

And so our cycle continues with scorching temperatures and harsh summer environment leading into new life, a rebirth of sorts in an explosion of colorful blooms and new plant life across the desert floors.

Brilliance was accepted into the  Scottsdale Artist School Best and the Brightest juried show and has sold there.

Custom Framed Original  SOLD

Canvas Giclee-Gallery Wrap 16×20 $290

Canvas Giclee-Standard 16×20 $260

Canvas Giclee-Gallery Wrap 12×16 $185

Canvas Giclee-Standard 12×16 $155