Guardian of the Desert

Guardian of the Desert

30" x 15" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Landscape

The Saguaro cactus grows in Arizona, having a long lifespan of 150 years or more.  I can only think that this one has many years on it.  The arms are massive and very interesting in shape and the way they twist and turn from the trunk. John and I found this large Saguaro in Sabino Canyon in Tucson, Arizona.  I wanted to paint all the different colors of the desert that you see when you are there in person, and using my imagination, added some beautiful violets, corals, greens and greys.  This large Saguaro fills the canvas, giving it a presence on the canvas, just as it does in the desert.  Contact Kay for more info.  Thanks for looking at my blog.  Kay

A Day In Saguaro

A Day In Saguaro

12" x 24" Oil on Canvas

Contemporary Landscape

This Arizona desert landscape is framed up and now hangs in our home.  The location is Saguaro National Park East.  The rough landscape of the desert was fun to paint once I had my underpainting in.  I used a palette knife on the mountains, cactus and shrubs.  Thanks for looking at my blog.  Kay

On My Easel...

This canvas is on my easel...

It's a 24" x 48" Gallery Wrap Canvas.

Saguaro cactus are amazing...and I have been working on this big guy.

I have layers and layers of colors on the canvas --- and scrubbing in the background to get that desert feel.  

More painting in the studio today to escape the Texas heat.

Thanks for looking at my blog.  Kay

The Guardian by Kay Wyne

The Guardian

48" x 24" Oil on Canvas

Contemporary Landscape Painting

A recent trip to Arizona gave me the perfect opportunity to get some photographs of the amazing Saguaro Cactus.  The title, "The Guardian" hit me as my cousin Chuck told me that in his mind, the huge Saguaros as the guardians of the desert.  These gigantic cacti are located in Tucson and the surrounding desert...and OMG their presence is everywhere!  

I wanted to put down on canvas what the Saguaro looked like when we were standing next to it...the trunk was old, rigid and weathered, but as you look up to the newer growth, the limbs were small, smoother and more colorful.   I also wanted to capture the light of the desert. Here are a few photographs of my progress from start to finish on this canvas.  

Thank you for looking at my blog and this new painting.  Contact Kay for more information on "The Guardian".  KMW

Arizona Sky by Kay Wyne

Arizona Sky

8" x 8" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Contemporary Landscape Painting

After a trip to Mt. Lemmon outside of Tucson, I immediately painted this small panel.  The scenery was amazing, as we took the winding road high above Tucson.  Here's my first painting of a saguaro cactus.  My plan is to paint this scene on a large canvas in these studio.  Thanks for looking at my blog...Contact Kay for more info on her paintings.  KMW

Desert Colors by Kay Wyne

Desert Colors

10" x 10" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Contemporary Abstract Cacti

Inspired by the desert colors of Arizona, I painted this small panel while John and I were in Tucson last month.  We explored the mountains and desert, and I painted this small panel while we were out there.  I purposely left out the details of the prickly pears...and wanted to focus more on the colors and big shapes of the desert.  I would like to take this small study and paint a very large canvas based on it...maybe a 40" x 40" or 48" x 36".  I hope to start some new paintings in the studio today.  Thank you for looking at this blog---contact Kay with any questions.  Have a great day.  KMW

Wild and Wicked by Kay Wyne

Wild and Wicked

10" x 10" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

I just finished my first cacti painting!  This painting was inspired from a photograph taken by Sequanota friend, Martha T., who was in Tucson and caught a dynamic photograph of a blooming cactus.  The moment I saw the photograph, I wanted to paint my version of the colorful, spiney, and wild cactus.  I put layers and layers of darks in before I started with the lighter colors.  It was fun putting in the needles and colorful blooms.  I cropped and focused in on the cacti, giving the painting an abstract feel.  Thank you, Martha for letting me use your photo.  This painting is drying in the studio.  Contact Kay Wyne for more info on this painting.  Kay

p.s.  here is the photo that Martha took!