Plein Air Painters Capture
Scenes December 2, 2006

       Arizona State Parks celebrated the agency's 50th Anniversary with plein air "paint out" events at each state park; the first was here at the Arboretum on December 2, 2006; and more than a dozen artists participated. Rules called for artists to complete a work between our opening hour at 8:00 a.m. and noon to submit the piece for judging by their fellow plein air artists. Members of the Tucson Plein Air Painters society, Mesa Art League and other organizations participated, the weather was perfect and the range of works shown below gives you an artists' eye view of Autumn at the Arboretum.

       Diane Van Noord chose a spot near the Cactus Garden, and she painted Magma Ridge. "In all the years I have been coming to Arizona and painting here, I had never visited the Arboretum before and was excited to go there for the painting event. I was so delighted by what I found there that I have since told
many friends and family about what a wonderful place it is to visit."

       "It is extraordinarily peaceful, with a strong sense of beautiful earthly
history; I entered a place in time as well as my own place in time on
that Saturday. When I arrived to check in for the paint-out I asked for suggestions on places to paint. All of them would have been good, but having never been there before, I found myself walking one of the pathways that took me next to a wash with a fabulous view of the near mountains. I found a fellow painter already there and decided that the beauty and the company would make it my choice for the morning. After my experience there, I am looking forward to the other painting events that will be planned throughout the state in the months ahead. The organizers are gracious and enthusiastic. A quality painting experience!"
TPAPS member Gail Munden painted in the Eucalyptus grove; a few days later she emailed about her morning: "the Eucalyptus trunks are such a contrast to the dark vegetation in the forest, and right now I'm intrigued with the shade under the trees and the cave the trees form. I hope to be returning soon in the afternoon to take some photos for a commission of two paintings of rock ridges and saguaros. I wasn't sure of the subject but saw it at the park Saturday. In fact there are hundreds of beautiful paintings waiting to be painted. The Demonstration Garden awaits only turn of the century (last century) dancing couples to be a Renoir....Renoir, Monet....both painters would have loved BTA!"


Jerry Pond drove all the way from Cottonwood, AZ
and chose to paint the Drover's Shed


And here is the finished work




Cindy Carrillo painted in
the Demonstration Garden




From the West edge of the garden Cindy looked out across Queen and got this scene of foothills and desert vegetation; Cindy was born and raised in Superior and knows this area well. She's also webmaster for the Tucson Plein Air Painters

Ruth Philliben studied reflections
in the water at Ayer Lake


The cottonwood tree on the opposite shore of Ayer Lake is a favorite perch for our resident Belted Kingfisher


Ayer Lake, as seen from the East by Jack Wahl


Jack's scenic overlook


Brian Jones hauled his gear up onto the High Trail to
capture this scene of Magma Ridge



Volcanic rock Formations also captivated Carol Beckwith, who spent the morning in the Cactus Garden, looking West



And here is a group portrait of participants and organizers. Artists shown with their paintings from left-to-right are Jerry Pond, Gail Munden, Diane Van Noord, TPAPS President Chris Rightmer, Diane Paull, Jack Wahl, Cindy Carrillo, Ruth Philliben, Brian Jones, Carole Beckwith, and Barbara Thacker. Shown at the center (without paintings) are event organizers Karen Farias and Mary Alice Daenzer of Arizona State Parks.

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