Painting Piestewa Peak on a Wonderfully Fateful Day!

Bruce Black, Piestewa Peak, Monsoon Morning, 11" X 14" oil on linen panel.

 A Brushstroke of Serendipity: Embracing Unexpected Freedom to Create

On a fateful Wednesday morning, a remarkable gift unexpectedly graced my path. The watermain outside my school had ruptured, and the delightful news of a canceled school day filled my heart with uncontainable joy. With an eager anticipation, I swiftly made my way back home, determined to seize this fortuitous moment and indulge in the pure bliss of painting.

As I stepped into my studio, a surge of conviction coursed through my veins, compelling me to breathe life into the nascent artwork that had begun to take shape. The canvas, adorned with mere preliminary lines, eagerly awaited my touch. Time was on my side, as I embarked on an alla prima adventure that would unravel over the next five captivating hours.

The scene that unfolded on the canvas depicted a cloudy day in the enchanting embrace of Piestewa Mountain preserve. Majestic clouds clustered, resembling celestial cotton, as silvery strands of light cast mesmerizing spells upon the desert landscape, painting it with an ethereal brilliance. Amidst this spectacle, a solitary saguaro cactus stood sentinel in the foreground, delicately illuminated from behind, causing its prickly exterior to assume a tender, velvety allure. In the distance, a sunbeam pierced through the veiled horizon, illuminating a hillside and enveloping the entire composition in an aura of tranquility and spirituality.

More than a mere painting, this creation breathed with hope and inspiration—a testament to the transformative power of art. It beckoned us, drawing us ever deeper into its realm, reminding us of the resplendent beauty that graces our Earth. In its presence, we find solace, peace, and a renewed sense of wonder, for the best paintings are those that transcend mere visuals, evoking the profound essence of our shared existence.

In that serendipitous moment, amidst the broken watermain, time stood still as art effortlessly flowed from my brush.  What a great day!