Engelmann Prickly Pear Cactus
by Marilyn Smith
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Price
$350
Dimensions
9.000 x 9.000 inches
This original painting is currently for sale. At the present time, originals are not offered for sale through the Marilyn Smith - Website secure checkout system. Please contact the artist directly to inquire about purchasing this original.
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Title
Engelmann Prickly Pear Cactus
Artist
Marilyn Smith
Medium
Painting - Watercolor
Description
Engelmann Prickly Pear Cactus is number seven in my series of watercolor paintings of cactus blooms from the desert Southwest area in Arizona.
Please take a look at the other six paintings in the series and watch for more new blossoms in the future! I am concentrating on the cactus flower itself, rather than the plant they grow on.
Prickly pear cacti come from a huge family of similar plants and flowers. The Engelmann variety have a more shrub-like base or trunkless plant that grow in large, tall spreading clumps. They are common in the Southwest and northern Mexico. They are extremely abundant in the Sonoran Desert around the Phoenix and Tucson areas They sprout roots easily from each pad that touches the ground. Therefore, they spread rapidly forming impenetrable thickets.
Young, spineless pads can be cooked as a vegetable. The ripe fruit that forms after the cactus blooms can be made into juice and jams. The barrel-shaped green pod turns a dark wine-red color when ripe. Prickly pear ice cream is very popular in the area as well as tea flavored with the juice.
Pack rats love the fruit and often build nests in the center of the cactus clumps forming a protective barrier among the spiny pads.
The lemon yellow flowers usually cover the upper edges of the pad, turning an apricot color as they age. If winter rains have been heavy, many blossoms will form creating a sea of yellow flowers.
Uploaded
May 12th, 2015
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Viewed 1,437 Times - Last Visitor from Fairfield, CT on 04/17/2024 at 7:45 PM
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Comments (44)
ELIZABETH ALLEN
Marilyn, this is an absolutely beautiful painting! Love the bright yellow against the dark background! l/f
Hanne Lore Koehler
Fantastic watercolor of these gorgeous cactus flowers, Marilyn! Magnificent color, style and composition! L/F
Rosemary Colyer
Beautiful composition and colours! An unusual subject too. Wonderful work, Marilyn! L/F t g+
Anne Gifford
Just having returned from a trip to Arizona where the prickly pears were in bloom, this particularly speaks to me. I love the deep, neutral background. vote/like
Marilyn Smith replied:
Thank you so much Anne! I always look forward to the cactus blooms in spring!
Will Borden
Hi Marilyn~~Congratulations on your FOUR sales to the buyer in Centerville, OH, this beautiful watercolor painting being one of them!! F&L!!
Marilyn Smith
A huge thank you to the buyer in Centerville, OH for purchasing this print plus 3 others! Enjoy!