A former private home and grounds donated to the community by DIck and Jean Wilson
Recently a friend and I visited the wonderful Tohono Chul botanical garden for an afternoon of plein air painting. The grounds and buildings were donated to the community by the former owners. I can only imagine that this courtyard would have been a favorite sitting place to savor the coolness offered by the shade of the trees. A private space, perhaps shared with family and friends.
…The reality of diverse timelines
I continue to capture moments suspended in time on my morning walks. This time, a man and his dog stop for a breather. The little dog was acutely aware of his surroundings and his endearing peek at me from behind his human’s legs was irresistible. The man seemed transported by the morning to another place.
Our time lines synchronized as I drew level and we exchanged “good mornings”.
As the US Capitol fell to rioters wielding confederate flags, I was leaving the Tohono Chul botanical gardens in Tucson. Blissfully unaware of the momentous happenings across the country, I spotted a huge, aged cholla. Most of its limbs had been pruned away. A single withered green leaf basked in the sun, while a bleached paddle rose defiantly from a dead limb. A younger plant grew along side, sheltered by this wizened parent.
A metaphor perhaps….
I completed this watercolor at home from a photo taken on Dec 6, 2021. 11″ x 8″, 300lb rough cold pressed paper
This is my first painting of 2021. Milo and his human are often the first souls I encounter on my early morning walks. Once Milo spots someone he knows, he drags his people over to say hello. Despite my goal to improve my race walking times, I have to stop, scratch his head and confirm, yes its a great day. His exuberance has won many a neighbor over to small dogs. He brings smiles to everyone he meets.
Watercolor, 6″ x 6″
Life on my Own 