This is one of my wife's paintings, done as part of a series some time ago. You will note that the top portion of the painting is done in traditional style whereas the lower portion revels the underground roots and some of the underlying structurs and inhabitants. This is the hallmark of this series of alkyd paintings that are approximately 48" square. This painting features the Saguaro cactus of Arizona. Wood from this remarkable plant is used in a number of my art pieces. Saguaro I and Saguaro II are built entirely from the Saguaro ribs, producing shapes that reflect the mighty plant. Several of the tea pots also are made with a majority of Saguaro wood. The tough, fibrous ribs are used in extended lengths or as short 5/8", cross cut segments of the rib. When one of these giants goes down it takes up to a year for the pulp and growth matter to disintegrate and separate from the ribs. The ribs dry in the sun and remains a strong skeleton for years.
