Mexican Poppies and Desert Dandelion* Near Tubac, AZ

Bloomed 4.17.24

28×22 oil on canvas

$4800

These poppies and desert dandelion were found in a sandy canyon near historical Tubac, Arizona. My friend Veronika and I first noticed the dandelions on the roadsides as we approached town, and then were excited to find more of this simple, happy flower down a sandy wash. I decided to paint the flowers suspended in the sky, untethered, perhaps twirling in a gentle Arizona breeze. A simple delight on a beautiful spring day.

*I researched the dandelion, to see if any were documented in my area of Arizona and found a New York Botanical Garden Steere Herbarium entry collected by a Mrs. Capt. Hoyt near Fort Apache in 1892.  A little more research led to a R.C. Hoyt who was stationed there the same year. What a delight to have a small connection to a fellow amateur botanist from so long ago. I think we would have been friends.

Along Arizona’s highways right now there are ribbons of orange, purple and yellow.
But sometimes, there are rare finds. Like these multi colored poppies on the side of the road near Wickenburg.
Sometimes it’s not a trek into the wilderness, but a keen eye and a quick u-turn that leads to Arizona botanical bliss.
Available on March 23, at Saturday’s miniature sale and Cowgirl Up!