Friday, July 16, 2010

Flying Cloud on a Gray Day in Tucson

Okay, everybody, back to work I am. I can't top my musical intermission, but I do have some links to share: From Zocalo Tucson Magazine--A cool black and white photo of downtown Tucson looking northeast to the Catalina mountains. The menu at the top provides the entire magazine online. In their book review section, there is a recommended book titled, "Revenge of the Saguaro." It sounds good. Yes, there really was a guy who shot at a saguaro and was killed when one of the heavy arms fell on him. 

On a happier note: Tucson Botanical Garden's Summer Saguaro Celebration presented by Etherton Gallery and an older video of Tohono Chul's Laughing Matters exhibit. For those of you on Staycations: San Xavier Mission on the Tohono O'odham Reservation, Saguaro Harvest, Mt. Lemmon in the Catalinas, Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women Old Town Artisans really good blues guitar in Tucson, 2nd Saturdays downtown Tucson (we were there last Sat.), and one of my favorite bands playing in a shop entryway--Tammy West and the Culprits. This painting (8" x 8," oil on artists' board) reminds me of the cloud covered sky under which Tucson awoke this morning. What a relief! It was a blistering 106 degrees ( 41.1 Celsius) yesterday, with humidity. We had about twenty guests last night...I don't know what the body heat index was. We had a great time, though. Lots of people wearing "No Papers" buttons. Aren't we half way through summer yet? Aren't we?!

19 comments:

Edgar said...

Aahh! This painting helps to cool me off... and you make Tucson seem cool too. That's a fresh outlook!

I really love the drawing in the surface -- the paint, arranged in a pictorial scene, becomes the medium of a secondary, drawn image.

SamArtDog said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SamArtDog said...

I'll try again...

I'm with A.Fice; the hieroglyphic scratching is your second language.

As for the interminable heat, I can only offer the company of misery. My mother reminds me that it's only weather. Typical Downeaster.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful colors, and I agree with Edgar how the drawn lines form a second level of meaning. Your paintings have a lot of excitment in them!

Also enjoyed the links... it's fun learning about the cultural scene in other communities. The heat will abate eventually... we too wait for the end of summer (or more accurately, the end of the storm season) sometime in November, signalled by the first cold front blowing through from the north. Then we can relax and watch as the snow birds arrive and settle in for their winter stay.

Melinda said...

I had no idea you'd actually click on the links, Mr. Artyfice. I had no idea who the musician was either. I was googling Old Town Artisans thinking video of the historical blocks of downtown might be interesting.

Well, I'm hoping to scratch at the surface, get below it, and find some more layers to mark.

Melinda said...

I like that, SamArtDog. "Hieroglyphic scratching" sounds waaay cool. Perhaps, I should speak this language more often. I do enjoy it and I'm glad that you do too.

Gaah! The heat! Well, I think I like your mother...

Melinda said...

Thank you, diddamsdigitalart! I used to do this scratching thing years ago. There must be some muscle memory showing up in this. I'm encouraged by your comment.

Glad you liked the links too. I've been curious about your region and appreciate the contrast. Wow. I never thought about this time as your storm season, but of course, this is an active time with tropical storms and hurricanes.

Hope you have a peaceful time. Yes, I think of your bucolic environment as a never ending paradise littered with the occasional tourist/snowbird.

Anonymous said...

A very lively energetic piece. Love the colors.
Jean

Melinda said...

Hi Jean,
Thank you! Ah, you are a colorist at heart. ;-)

daviddrawsandpaints said...

OK, remind me why I live in Scotland?
Is it because instead of one little insignificant, unthreatening, puff of cloud on the horizon I am lucky to see one scrap of light blue sky?
Is it because I am untouched by the rich cultural life of Tucson (Arizona) which passes me by and shows me what life should really be like?
Could it be because I am a masochist in a kilt and I get what I deserve?
NO NO NO!
It's so's I can live vicariously through the wonders of the internet and see another, beautiful, culture to raise my aspirations for much better things in my own life!
That's why you dolt!!! (speaking to myself)

What a great painting with bold expressive colour (just the way I like it) and warm nights out on the town enjoying yourselves.
I am there with you, sista, at least in spirit. Cheers!

artswebshow said...

that's an excellent painting.
I really do feel the mood

Melinda said...

What a fantastic comment, David! It's a chapter in a book of your life--a testament to the best life lived in your present geography, while connecting to the oneness of the global community. You're a dear brother artist with a strong spirit--strong enough to live anywhere!

Thank you so much for your delightful reply. I'm glad you like the painting and that you took a little vacation to Tucson. See, no rain, no cold, no bugs, no wretched heat, no outrageous dry cleaning bill for the kilt...

Melinda said...

Welcome, artswebshow. Thank you for stopping by and for your comment.

Yes, moody. Hmmm. Sounds right. Exactly what I work for...

Jeane Myers said...

a wonderful painting Medlinda - rich colors and depth :)

Melinda said...

Thank you, Jeane! It's always a treat when you stop by and comment. Hope you're having an inspired summer.

cohen labelle said...

Melinda, that’s a beautiful landscape! – kind of wild and sultry - and I love the way you’ve used the sgraffito.

41.1 Celsius, whew! – here we groan and bellyache when it reaches 30.

Melinda said...

You have my sympathy about the weather, Marcia! It is a wretched environment at 30 Celsius with lots of humidity. We anxiously await the rains because when they come, our weather is more like yours. Oh, we're big babies here, believe me.

Thank you for commenting, too. This is a pretty dark painting and the sgraffito is my way of saying, grrrr, and then, oh!

Linny D. Vine said...

just back from her blues stage tour it's queen of clouds...paintin' the cool blues!

Melinda said...

You are way too clever for me, Linny! Yes, I took a bow, brushed the glitter off of my guitar and rode the tour bus back to the studio. ;-)

Thank you! It's such a treat to hear from glorious Linnyland.