Singing Down The Rain
by Marilyn Smith
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Price
$800
Dimensions
18.000 x 12.000 inches
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Title
Singing Down The Rain
Artist
Marilyn Smith
Medium
Painting - Watercolor
Description
This piece was selected to be used during the televistion show, "Longmire", episode 302 on A&E, which airs in June, 2014.
This watercolor, titled "Singing Down The Rain", represents my impression of the early Indian tradition of harvesting the ripe fruit from the giant saguaro cacti. This dying culture is still carried on by the Tohono O'odham Indian tribes across the desert southwest of Arizona and even into Mexico.
When the saguaro blossoms wilt and begin to dry, the bud turns into a beautiful red fruit that can be cooked down to make various jams and jellies.
The harvest involves camping out in the desert near the huge cactus so the fruit can be picked at the perfect time. This generally takes place some time in June, depending on how early the saguaro bloom. It is a long, hot process that involves many of the desert people to have a successful harvest. Long poles made of dried cactus ribs and used to reach the fruit on the tips of the saguaro. The fruit is pulled down and gathered in baskets to be taken to the camp where it is cooked down and strained. Elaborate celebrations take place during this time to mark the start of the traditional calendar year for the Tohono O'odham, and to celebrate the upcoming monsoon season. The rains are most important to produce new fruit the following spring. The giant saguaros have a strong network of roots that only lie about 3 inches below the sandy surface, stretching out as far from the main trunk as saguaros are tall and are capable of soaking up 200 gallons of water that they will store in their complex accordion pleated ribs for as long as a year.
Also hidden in this watercolor painting is a jack rabbit that is the cause for the hawks circling in the area!
Uploaded
March 31st, 2014
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Viewed 1,976 Times - Last Visitor from Granby, CO on 03/23/2024 at 3:49 AM
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Comments (24)
Anne Gifford
I just saw this in the Beautiful Watercolors group discussion, and loved it. Just wanted to tell you! like/f
Marilyn Smith replied:
Ann, I am so pleased that you like this piece! That means a lot coming from a great artist like you!
Marilyn Smith
Thank you Chance, for the lovely comments and the feature in the Tucson & Southern Arizona group!
Chance Kafka
a soaring and absolutely beautiful work. just amazing. You have a great story to go with it as well. and congrats on the feature in "Longmire!" So cool! Featured in Tucson and Southern Arizona!
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Marilyn Smith
Thank you Linda, for the feature in Western USA Landscapes and Animals, Birds and Flowers Group!
Randy Rosenberger
A very grandiose painting, Marilyn! Love the elements and the sky is totally awesome and a nice contrast to the desert elements! Love it!
Marilyn Smith replied:
Randy, it is so good to have you back! Thank you for commenting on my "Longmire " featured piece.
Kelly Mills
How excited are you!!!! Congratulation Marilyn!!! Bragging rights are well deserved!!! l/f/v
Hanne Lore Koehler
Magnificent painting with wonderful depth and color, Marilyn!!! Congratulations on your TV debut!! That's fantastic! I'll look for it on Longmire! L/F/T
Marilyn Smith replied:
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments and votes, Hanne! And thanks for noticing my post regarding the TV show! I am anxious to see it!
Beth Arroyo
Wonderful painting and history of Indian and there culture , nice touch with rabbit and halk V