Description

Standing Tall
Palmer’s Penstemon and Agave, Mogollon Rim, AZ
48×36 oil on canvas
Bloomed 5/7/23

I’m not sure when I painted my first agave. I have always been attracted to their strong, stately structure. It’s a treat to see a mature plant send its florescence skyward, marking the end of its days and the beginning of new life.

In my own yard, this is an annual occurrence. It started with a single plant given to me by a neighbor years ago. We now have 30 or more agave in various stages of life throughout our property. Just this week, two of my plants have sent a stalk skyward. If you sat vigil, I’m convinced you could actually watch them grow several inches a day.

I spotted this agave in the wild on a spring day on the Mogollon Rim of Arizona. I was on my way to hike a mountain stream with a friend. The Jeep came a screeching stop.

There she stood. Brave, proud and unyielding, giving every last bit of energy to reproducing.

Nearby was a large patch of Palmer’s penstemon; the tallest, most fragrant penstemon in Arizona. The large bumblebee-sized blooms were proudly swaying in the morning air.

It seemed like a natural pairing, to paint these showy plants together. Their colors complimented each other, and I loved the contrast of the large frilly blooms against the heavy stalk.

It’s my tribute to life in the west; enduring the seasons, embracing adversity, and standing tall in beauty.

-dh

New Years, 2025