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Thank you Art of the West! Subscribe: https://aotw.com/

With Duke Beardsley, Whitney Gardner, Robert Moore, Bradford Overton, Billy Schenck, Ben Steele, & Dennis Ziemienski

Reception: Thursday, January 22, 6-8pm

7038 E. Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

I was honored to be asked to create artwork for the new dinning experience, Gertrude’s by Tarbell’s, at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. The garden has been close to heart for over 35 years, and hosted my 25th year retrospective in 2016. When I need to meet a client or entertain out of town guests, Gertrude’s is a favorite dining destination!

Learn More / Make a Reservation

March 28th- May 23, 2025

In 2005, Desert Caballeros Western Museum embraced a revolutionary idea: an annual exhibition showcasing the brightest contemporary female artists working in the Western genre. In the male-dominated world of Western Art, Cowgirl Up! turned the spotlight squarely on women’s voices and perspectives, serving up a new, deeper understanding of the American West. Over a decade later, CU! remains one of the major national events for Western women artists.

Come celebrate the 20th year with me as I unveil new masterworks especially for the show.

Artist Talk
Thursday October 3, 2024 3:00 PM

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
3830 N. Marshall Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-686-9539

Tickets: https://westernspirit.org/project/artist-spotlight-wild-at-art-the-adventures-and-art-of-dyana-hesson/

Botanical artist Dyana Hesson loves a good adventure. “I simply can’t get enough of Arizona; its sun on my face, its dirt under my feet, its colors on my pallet. The Grand Canyon state has been generous with inspiration for my many years as an artist, and I’m just getting started. There’s always more to explore around the next bend.”

Driven by curiosity and discovery, Hesson is on a mission to paint every wild Arizona plant she can find. Beyond the attention-grabbing prickly pear and saguaro, she also loves painting the little plants and blooms found in Arizona’s backcountry. Placing her subjects in the landscape helps her collectors feel the moment of discovery, and thus enter into the adventure.

Learn more about her creative process through stories, photos, and videos, and get a sneak peek at the work she is preparing for her 2025 one-woman show. Wild Arizona will celebrate her thirty-five years as a painter, unveiling the largest collection of her works seen publicly in years.

The one-hour talk will be followed by time for questions and a “The Art of Wildflowers” book signing in the museum lobby. Special reception and art viewing to follow at Bonner David Galleries, located at 7040 E. Main Street in Scottsdale.

Dyana Hesson partnered with Rusconi’s American Kitchen to raffle two limited edition signed prints for the month of September. Each print was inspired by Hesson’s frequent travels to Hawaii for rest and inspiration. They are 20×30 inches, and are titled “The Anniversary Gift” and “Pili-Lani, Close to Heaven.”

100% of the proceeds will go to Maui Strong.
The drawing will took place on September 30, and the lucky winner was Susie Ernst!

And, combined with the participating valley restaurants, the total campaign raised 32,556!!!

The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the devastating Maui wildfires.

Learn more here:
https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund

I’m so honored to announce that “Arizona Spin Cycle: Wildflowers, Little Colorado River” is now on permanent collection at Western Spirit Museum in Scottsdale. Many thanks to the Charles F. Sands Family and Bonner David Galleries for their generous gift in memory of Dr. Ted F. Anderson, Ethnobotanist.

Visit: 3830 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
https://scottsdalemuseumwest.org/

Cactusland U.S.A. 
Opuntia Blooms, Organ Pipe National Monument, AZ
Oil on Canvas, 71in. x 55in. 2021
$21,500
On exhibit at the Western Spirit: Museum of the West Scottsdale, AZ
November 12, 2021- January 16, 2022

Proceeds to benefit Hospice of the Valley.
Contact Bonner David Galleries for more information

Inspired by the photography of Josef Muench, published by Arizona Highways Magazine, January, 1959.

It started with a request to choose one reference photo from the almost hundred-year archive of Arizona Highways Magazine. The image chosen would serve as inspiration for an original painting; not an easy task.

I was browsing Arizona Highways Memory Project by subject when up popped Josef Muench’s photo “Engelmann’s Prickly Pear” on the January 1959 cover. I loved it instantly; the jagged mountains in the background, the golden bouquet of opuntia blooms in the foreground, and of course the blue Arizona sky dotted with cotton candy clouds. Perfect! 

The description read, “April, sunny day, photo taken in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, south of Ajo, in Southern Arizona.” The inside cover photo, also by Muench, held an equally captivating photo of the same area. I knew I had the perfect inspiration for an amazing painting; now I just needed permission.  

Robert Stieve, editor and chief of the magazine, obtained permission from the Muench family for my endeavor. I had a large canvas built, and began planning.

Now that Muench and I would be partners in this creative endeavor, I wanted to learn more about the photographer responsible for this image, and so many important images that have graced the pages of the magazine. When I researched Muench’s biography I learned that he was an immigrant from Bavaria, Germany. So, Muench and I both had a German immigrating story, and I wanted to know more. 

Muench received his first camera as a gift from his father when he was 11. I, too, was gifted a camera from my father at about the same age. Muench worked as a landscape gardener in his late teens; I worked as a landscape gardener in my late teens. I also worked as a landscaper (not for pay, but in the form of chores) which gave me a great appreciation for all things botanical. 

When Muench was in his early 20’s he followed his brother to Detroit, Michigan, finding a job at the Ford motor company at age 24. In my 20’s, I had a short stay near Detroit as well. Then I headed back to the west. In 1930, so did Muench. He purchased a model T and eventually settled in Santa Barbara, California. In 1938, Joseph met with the editor for Arizona Highways, who published Josef’s photographs of Rainbow Bridge in Glen Canyon, one of my favorite places on earth.

Josef Muench loved the west and was quoted as saying, “When I first saw the desert, I liked it. It was new and different. It immediately took on a meaning to me. I had heard it was barren. It isn’t. A little cactus– so delicate and beautiful can hide from you. You have to go slowly, and look carefully.”

Speaking of hiding and looking carefully, I felt it important to travel to where the inspiration photo was taken, stand where Muench stood, and experience that part of the Arizona desert for myself. Knowing he took the photo in April, my husband and I traveled in April 2021 down to Organ Pipe National Monument, to hunt down the jagged mountains in Josef’s photo and find a blooming opuntia.

We spent several days searching within the park boundaries—west of the 85, and east of the 85, and along the Mexican border—but we never found Muench’s exact mountain. Perhaps he backpacked further in, or flipped the negative? I am not certain, but the exact location of his photo shall remain a mystery to me. Wandering through Organ Pipe National Monument, however, did provide valuable inspiration for my painting, because the adventure is always important to my work.

Once home, I purchased a copy of the magazine online from a used bookstore and pinned it to my studio wall for reference. I would gaze at the cover every working day in the studio for the following two months. 

I also chose to use the landscape from the inside cover of the ’59 issue titled “A Saguaro in Bloom” as my back drop, as I was really enamored with the shadows that Muench captured during a different part of the same day. 

My final composition choice was to place myself within Muench’s landscape. In the distance, near the horizon, you’ll find me in my Jeep, True Blue, exploring Muench’s Cactusland in the sunshine the way the photographer did 62 years ago.

Thank you Muench family, and Arizona Highways Magazine, for the privilege and honor to partner with Josef in this creative endeavor. My hope is that I’ve created a painting that captivates readers now, and years from now, the way Josef Muench’s work captivated me.

-dh November 2021

See more art in the December 2021 Issue of Arizona Highways Magazine

View Dyana’s article

*Information about Muench’s biography from NAU’s Cline library.

If you’ve ever read my artist’s statement you know it is my mission to create beauty, because I believe there should be an equal amount a beauty for the suffering that we experience in this world. Never did I feel that truth more profoundly than this week.

I am not one of those people that believes when a butterfly lands on your shoulder it’s a sign from a dead relative or pet, but I do believe with all my heart that God sends the butterfly, the shooting stars, the rolling grassy hills, the swaying sunflowers to comfort and assure us.

If you are not a dog person, you can stop reading right here. You simply can’t relate unless you have loved your pet and been the recipient of their unique unconditional love. Cat people, ranchers, you can read on. You get it too.

Our dog Boon came to us when we were grieving his predecessor, Zoni. Zoni was like our first child. We adopted him in Michigan when we were so lonely, and then moved him all the way home to Arizona. He was well loved for 15 1/2 years. He was my constant companion and when he was gone there was a huge hole.

In 2008, there was still a Jack Russell rescue here in town. We found them on the Internet and made an appointment to look at the dogs they had available. Boon and his sister had been rescued from a puppy mill in Missouri. He had a few health issues, barely made eye contact and just was a very forlorn little boy. But we fell in love with him. We asked him to come home with us and he said yes.

We told him he had big shoes to fill. Slowly he became more affectionate and trusting and we began to include him and all our family adventures. Specifically, for me, he was my morning hike or walk buddy, and we would marvel at God’s creation together. During the day, when Randy and Syd were gone, he followed me around the house and, during my long days of painting he was my steadfast companion. Listening to my grumblings and looking at me lovingly when I was suffering.

We installed a doggie door and I loved the sound of the door flapping in the wind as he would race outside to chase a golfer, or a bird, a bobcat, or whatever. His favorite time of day was when Sydney would come home from school or work and feed and walk him. They had a special relationship and she was so loving and caring towards him.

Randy, being the big softy he is, relinquished part of our bed for Boon to sleep in each night. They would antagonize each other with affectionate growls as a part of our nighttime routine. Eventually, Boon would settle up against Randy’s back and they would both fall fast asleep.

In recent months Boon’s health began to decline. He had been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, and had chronic interdigital cysts. At Christmas time, while tree hunting in the woods, we noticed he wandered far from us and could not see or hear us yelling at him to come back.  Eventually he lost all his sight and most of his hearing. Long walks became short walks, and finally just walks in the backyard. You or I might have complained. Boon was not a complainer. He simply tried to adapt the best he could, relying on what hearing he had left and his sense of smell.

He could no longer use the doggie door and falling in the pool was a concern. He could not be left alone for more than a few hours, and so we adjusted and scheduled our time as a family to care for him. We adjusted our summer travel, so that one of us would stay behind and care for Boon. There would be time to travel as a family later.

Last week it was Randy’s and my turn to travel to my beloved White Mountains. Syd would stay home and with help from family and friends, watch over Boon. When we left, he wasn’t standing very well, and loosing interest in his food, sleeping all the time. Bumping into walls to find his way was not an option any more. He was carried from room to room, and as long as he was with us, he seemed content. We knew he was declining, but truly we felt we had some time, we would not have left him if we had thought otherwise. I gave him a bath, arranged his schedule and whispered in his ear, “don’t go anywhere until I come home now.” We loved and kissed him and said goodbye, the way we always had when leaving the house. We checked in each day. He was doing ok.

Unfortunately, while we were still away, Boon’s health took a drastic turn, Sydney with the help of her Aunt Candy had to make a hard choice. They tried to reach us just after midnight on Wednesday. The call couldn’t get through. I was lying awake when I saw the doorbell notification that someone was leaving the house.  It was Syd with Boon wrapped in his favorite blanket.  She was telling him he was a good boy. I woke Randy and we drove the top of the hill where there was a signal. Randy called Candy and got the whole story. Sydney had held Boon as he passed, at about 1:00 am, and he was no longer in discomfort.

It was pitch dark and the only lights on the hill were our headlights illuminating a field of Sunflowers bobbing in the cold breeze. In the distance, lightning flashed in the sky. Randy and I got out the jeep to embrace and sob. We felt guilt for not being at home, and sadness that Sydney, 21, had to make such an important decision. We ran through all the what-ifs out loud and assured each other, it was all as it should be.  For truly, Syd and Candy were the best suited of all the Hessons to carry such a heavy load, and for that we were grateful.

As I sobbed and tried to grasp the fact that we would be coming home to an empty house, I opened my eyes for a moment and stared at the night sky. In succession, several falling stars plummeted toward the earth in fiery reds and blues. On the horizon lightning continued to flash and light up the sky. It was all so beyond breathtaking. I walked over to the bobbing sunflowers and picked one for Boon, they too were so beautiful, so alive, so perfectly created.

On the slow jeep ride back to the cabin, we saw flashing eyes in our headlights, two small foxes were playing with each other by the road, not a care in the world.

The day before had also been so remarkably beautiful, I had cried and worried over losses and worries of Boon while simultaneously marveling at the lush and rugged landscape. I wrote in my journal before bed:

“Here is what I know without a doubt – when I am in nature, God’s creation – looking at his handiwork, seeing his creativity and mastery of beauty, I am at total peace. I’m not concerned with the worlds man-made drama, I am unaware of my own mortality, or safety, or future peril. I am just in the middle of God’s work and I can see no flaws, no condemnation, nothing wrong or out of place. And I know, he is King and I am his daughter and He loves me so very much.”

And He does love me so very much, and Sydney, and Randy, and our sweet baby Boon. He is with us in our grief, and we have so much to be thankful for.

There has been a lot of debate about pets and heaven. I am reminded that God created the animals before he made Adam and Eve. In fact, he put the first man and woman in charge of creation, to care for it. Caring for a pet changes you. The unconditional love of a pet changes you. When you are at your worst moment, they love you. I swear, some days Boon looked into my eyes, and I knew he was an angel sent by God to care for me, deeply.

We will miss our Boon-Doggle, Boon-alicious, Bonnie-baby so very much. He was the right dog at the right time for all the right reasons. We are so grateful for every day we had with him. There is a huge hole in our hearts right now, and we are very sad. The studio is empty and I don’t know how I will paint without him.

Outside my window, there is a pale blue sky, and pretty clouds, and birdsong, and they are comforting. A measure of beauty for pain.

dh 8-15-21

A special collection of White Mountain wildflowers for Arizona Highways Magazine

Special Scottsdale Artwalk celebration:

Bonner David Galleries
7040 E. Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Thursday, June 24th, 2021
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

While much of the Grand Canyon state is hot and void of botanical color in the summer, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in northeastern Arizona is alive with color. And I’m not talking about fall color. Amber and Crimson will have their day, and photographers will rush to those special places in Arizona to capture the autumnal light, soon enough, so just hang on. It’s still summer in the White Mountains and while White is a great description for this region in the winter, in August, this artist thinks Green would be more accurate. The warm greens of treeless, velvet valleys collide with the cool greens of thick pine-scented forests, from 3,500 to 11,500 in elevation. And, while Green is the main character dominating the horizon in the romance of the White Mountains, Blue cannot be ignored. It rushes downward to meet the land, in an ombre of ultra-marine to cerulean blue.

Truth be told, this region has been home to colorful landscapes and characters for years.  Coronado came looking for gold, John Wayne came to ranch cattle, and author Zane Grey came to paint word pictures. His character, Milt Dale, knew this area well.

“Dale pursued a zigzag course over ridges to escape the hardest climbing, but the “senacas”—those parklike meadows so named by Mexican sheep-herders—were as round and level as if they had been made by man in beautiful contrast to the dark-green, rough, and rugged ridges.”

Is it any wonder why Grey loved Arizona’s wild places? But, back to color. Because in the White Mountains, an artist at heart can see more than White, Green, and Blue in the woods, senacas, and sky. There are other players like Pink, Yellow, Red, and Purple, and you can see them perform their parts too, if you know where to look.

– dh

On newsstands June 2021

I’m please that my painting, “Four Generations to Come, Milkweed and Moth, White Mountains, AZ was juried into the National AWA exhibit “Lifting the Sky” May 20 – August 21, 2021.

This painting is part of my “Colors of White” series, celebrating the wildflowers that thrive in the White Mountains of Eastern Arizona. In 2011, the Wallow fire destroyed 469,407 acres of wilderness, making it the largest fire in Arizona’s history. My series is a testimony to renewal and call to conservation.

Information: American Women Artists

I’m proud to announce my participation in “Cowgirl Up” at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona, March 28- September 5, 2021

March 26-27: Private events for sponsors

March 28-September 5: Showings by appointment open to public, please call 928-684-2272 to reserve your time.

“Cowgirl Up!” Online begins the week of March 29th. Experience the Exhibition and Sale virtually.

Proxy bidding is still available by phone, please contact curator Mary Ann Igna 928-684-2272 ext 101

Location:
21 North Frontier Street
Wickenburg, AZ 85390

928.684.2272

info@westernmuseum.org

See the work

What am I up to in the studio these days? Glad you asked. I’m continuing with the theme of capturing Arizona native plants and flowers and focusing more specifically on the precious little wild gems I’ve found on my adventures this year. 

I count these moments of discovery a sincere blessing. Hiking a trail, or rambling down a road, and having the time to look, to explore and ultimately discover flowers I’ve never seen before.

Back in the studio, they come alive on the canvas, and I learn something new about the flower, about the place where I saw it, and ultimately about myself. These moments in the wild refresh and delight me, and bring me closer to understanding the creative God who designed them, and me, for His purpose.

Near the first of the year, watch for a new book of my work published by Arizona Highways.

All my best,

Dyana 

Enjoy some fun adventure videos:

The Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia

I’m so honored to be a part of this exhibit celebrating the works of 113 American Women Artists from across the country. The work was selected by juror Lisa Wheeler, the Booth’s Director of Curatorial Services, from 1500 entries. This exhibit is part of AWA’s bold 25 in 25 initiative, to have 25 museum exhibitions for women in the next 25 years. The grand prize was $10,000 and five purchase prizes were awarded during opening ceremonies, which happened virtually thanks to the dedicated Booth staff.

View the exhibit work

March 27^th 6-8pm gallery reception update: 

Friends,
Even though we did not get to gather in person for this show, it was a huge success. Thank you Bonner David Galleries for making adjustments and caring for my collectors, and thank you to my collectors for your earnest interest in the work of my hands. We just about had a sellout.

With gratitude,

Dyana

“True Blue Arizona” The Arizona Highways magazine project
March 27- April 20, 2020

New work inspired by Arizona native plants and places.
Bonner David Galleries
7040 E. Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ

More about this collection

Order Arizona Highways poster

Order a signed copy of the March 2020 Arizona Highways issue

Thank you to our generous
True Blue Arizona sponsors:

Listen!

Flower Power: Desert Botanicals
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
21 North Frontier Street
Wickenburg, AZ 85390
June 8th- October 20th, 2019

5 Hesson Paintings on Display

Looking West: An Exhibition Highlighting works by
American Women Artists
150 paintings and sculptures by North America’s finest women artists
May 13th- September 2, 2019
Steamboat Art Museum
807 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Artist reception, June 28th 6:00-8:00 pm

Read More about Dyana’s painting in this show.
Take a quick tour of the Haggin Museum and it’s collections

Many of you know Adoption is near and dear to my heart.  While you are busy preparing dinner or lunch for your family, I ask you to take a moment and consider the child who doesn’t have a family to spend meals with. Now, think of the family who desperately wants to adopt, but has come up short, financially. We can help.

I want to say a special thank you to everyone who helped raise money for Show Hope adoption grants at my show opening April 20th! So far this month (April), we raised $2990 with a grand total from what we started last year of $6475! My heart is full knowing this will make a real difference in the life of a child waiting to be adopted. Jennifer K won the print in our raffle at Bonner David Galleries! Congrats Jen! You may continue to donate if you feel lead to help Show Hope raise their goal of 20 grants this month.
With Thanks,
Dyana

DONATE

In loving memory of our Arizona Sunshine
7-12-92  –  2-25-08
The best studio buddy an artist will ever have.

Celebrating Personal Milestones
and Arizona’s Centennial

On February 14, 2012, Arizona will celebrate its centennial as the last of the 48 contiguous states to gain statehood. I hold Arizona near and dear to my heart, and although it is not my native state, it is my home. It was here in Arizona that I found my ability to paint and here in Arizona where I began my art career in 1990 in a little gallery in Scottsdale. Arizona has provided not only inspiration but also loyal patrons who have collected the work of my hands.

While studying painting at Arizona State University in the late 80’s, one of the first things I painted was a rose from the back yard of my Mesa home. Since then, I have continued to explore the rose in my paintings. Each spring and fall I spend a good deal of time photographing the extensive rose collection at Mesa Community College.

2012 will mark the 21st year of my career as a professional artist, and I will be painting my 500th painting. Whew! I can think of no greater way to celebrate my love for my state and my work than to memorialize the occasion with a special painting.

Each rose in this painting represents 10 years of Arizona statehood, totaling 100 years. The various colors of the roses, united in a heart shape, represent the diversity of our home here in the southwest. The roses were grown in Arizona soil and bloomed this April at the Mesa Community rose gardens.

On November 12th, this painting will be unveiled at the Phoenix Airport Museum as a part of their “Arizona Valentine” show. After the show, the painting will become part of their permanent collection. A limited edition print of this piece will be offered in a live auction at Mesa Community College’s special rose garden benefit on November 19th, 2011. For More information go to: http://rosegarden.mesacc.edu/

Dyana at the Mesa Community College – Rose Gardens, Arizona.

MAYO CLINIC PHOENIX

Dyana’s work is on exhibit now until October 24, 2016 as part of the Humanities in Medicine program at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. The gallery is located on the first floor of the Hospital (5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix) by the outpatient waiting room.