A Peninsular Bighorn Sheep

A Peninsular Bighorn Sheep (aka desert bighorn sheep) is (sort of) the title of my latest painting. I say "sort of" because I never really decided on a title for it. But it definitely describes the critter that jumps out at you.

The setting is the low desert (aka Colorado desert) in the lower elevation of Joshua Tree National Park. This piece is a little out of my comfort zone: I normally paint landscapes with critters somewhere out there, doing what critters do. But this time, the critter is the main focus, and the landscape is minimal.

I've come to admire desert bighorn sheep over the years, although they lack the cuteness factor of bunnies. But what they may lack in cuteness, they make up for in a noble appearance. And they somehow manage to be large mammals that survive in a harsh environment.

Enjoy!!

Mark Junge

www.MarkJunge.com or www.SouthwestSpaces.com

A Peninsular Bighorn Sheep______________x 14"/27.9cm x 35.6cm

Desert Clouds

Desert Clouds is my latest painting of one of my favorite places -- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona.

There's just something about the namesake species of cactus that just grabs me. The organ pipe cactus plus the saguaros, in addition to the rugged mountains, are what the desert is all about.

Desert Clouds                                                 8" x 10" / 20cm x 25cm

 Sometimes I wish I could live there, although the torrid summer heat would probably kill me! And besides -- this is National Park land.

I expect this piece will be on my website soon, looking for a forever home.

Mark Junge

www.MarkJunge.com or www.SouthwestSpaces.com

Four Peaks

Four Peaks is the name of a mountain visible from the Superstition Mountains (and Lost Dutchman State Park) in Arizona. It, and the surrounding Sonoran Desert, was the subject of my latest painting entitled, simply, Four Peaks. A redtail hawk soars the morning skies, looking for tasty morsels to eat.

Four Peaks                    11" x 14" / 27.9cm x 35.6cm

(The mountain really does have four peaks, but only three of them are visible from this angle).

If Arizona had a wet winter, the Peaks can be covered in snow which can last into early spring, when wildflowers (such as the yellow-blossomed brittlebush) reach their peak time of glory.

Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountains are beautiful and iconic areas. I expect I'll be doing more paintings of these special places in the future.

Mark Junge

www.MarkJunge.com or www.SouthwestSpaces.com

Desert Spring

 Wow -- today's April Fool's Day. Well, as far as I'M concerned, it's April but I ain't no fool!!

I just finished a painting, Desert Spring, which seemed especially appropriate for this time of year. It depicts a scene in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona. My focus was on the distant mountain (don't know if it has a name or not). After I varnish it, I'll probably offer it for sale on my website -- links are below under my signature).

On another note, I'm hoping to be able to travel to San Antonio, TX in time to see the total solar eclipse. However, at this writing, it seems possible that much of Texas will be overcast and maybe even raining. This would obviously obscure the view of the sun which would render the trip a bust. We'll see in the next couple of days what the weather forecast says, but we may end up canceling the trip. 😢

Anyway, here's the painting. Enjoy!

Mark Junge
www.MarkJunge.com or www.SouthwestSpaces.com

Superstitions

Superstitions are, of course, funny kinds of beliefs about things; it is also the name of a group of mountains in the desert east of Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Superstitions                      acrylic/panel                     18" x 24"/46cm x 61cm

And so -- my latest painting is entitled Superstitions, in reference to the above-named mountains. I wanted the image to have a sort of surreal, almost spooky feel to capitalize on the name of these rocks.

I've been to these mountains several times, but admittedly -- I never saw them enshrouded in clouds. But I have seen photos of cloud-covered Superstition Mountains, and I knew that was what I needed to do! Plus -- I want to get more into atmospheric effects in my paintings, anyway.

So -- enjoy the painting, and no -- I'm not superstitious!!😃