Camelback Mountain at Dusk: An Arizona Landscape Painting

Camelback Mountain at Dusk, 10" X 12" Oil on panel, 2022, Bruce Black

I think Camelback mountain is becoming a muse for me.  This mountain sits in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona dominating the skyline and is a draw for tourists and locals alike.  Its trails are deceptively steep and the red sandstone cliffs can be treacherous.  The local fire department is constantly rescuing people off its slopes -usually tourists who didn't know what they were in for. 

What I love about painting Camelback is how the mountain changes by the hour and the season.  It seems to do wardrobe changes all day long depending upon the light and cloud coverage.  Sometimes it is a soft blue shape sitting way back.  At others, it is a bright red beacon demanding your attention.  When it rains, Camelback is shrouded in mist and clouds.  You can drive around the entire mountain and get different looks in each spot. 

I like to paint it from a position where I can see the praying monk.  That is the spire of rock that sits off to one side and seems to look like a person kneeling in prayer.  It is a Phoenix landmark.  In this painting, you can see the praying monk on the left side as he looks toward the larger rock outcropping to his right. I wanted to capture the late afternoon light, just as it caught the upper parts of the mountain. 

Being an Arizona landscape artist is soooo much fun! 

Happy painting everyone!

Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ. Stock Photography

Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ. Map view. Bruce Black