Stumpy Cactus

After my work trip to Hawaii I still felt fired up. I had been sketching almost every day there, and while it was not Hawaii itself that restored me, the habit of drawing consistently gave me new energy. I came back to work determined to finish my degree. The sooner I finished, the sooner I could be happy. At the same time, I was entering the most turbulent part of my studies, so I had insisted on planning one short vacation that was not tied to work.

My partner, his dad, and I went to Arizona for a weekend trip to look for desert wildflowers and paint. It was in the middle of nowhere with almost no phone service, and for the first time in a while I forgot completely about work. Traveling with pastels made the journey more complicated. They look intimidating on the TSA x-ray, almost like a thousand batteries, so I learned it is better to take them out of the bag just like a laptop. These plein air trips were teaching me how important it is to decide what supplies I really need. Pastels are heavy, and carrying too many is not sustainable. I am still learning that balance.

Near our campsite I found a lovely stumpy cactus that became my subject. I tried a new technique, using turpenoid to spread the pigment across the paper without filling the tooth. It helped me move faster, and I loved the result. I only wish I had committed to finishing the sketch, but I was eager to hike with my partner and his dad. Even so, the experience was rewarding. One day I hope to return to the desert and commit a few hours to painting a scene in pastel.

Pastel on sand paper (for pastels, although I forget the name). About 1 h sketch.