"ARROYO"

A dry channel through which water flows intermittently and irregularly. Kind of like this blog.

My art is an infectious need for me, sometimes a burden but most often a blessing.

This blog is about me and my obsessions, my loves, my need to create and my need of JUNK. I'm addicted to thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets and all roads leading off the beaten track to discover that perfect piece of junk. I recycle old license plates, old shovels, wheelbarrows, saw blades and anything else that's funky using my hand held plasma cutter. I love working with steel, sculpting, photography, watercolor painting, stained glass, and turning everyday utilitarian objects into art. Junked cars ~ I will always veer off the path to search out the beautiful wrecked Arroyo JunKers throughout Arizona, New Mexico and anywhere else the road may lead. When I'm not searching for those JunKers
I ~ RESURRECT ~ STEEL

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Ocotillo (Cactus) Installation

I finished my commission this weekend for a Large Ocotillo cactus.   If you're not familiar with one it's a beautiful tall cactus as shown below.  It is currently blooming like mad throughout our desert here in Sunny Arizona.  It truly is beautiful.  Don't be fooled by the word Desert ~ it's a magical green and colorful valley here.
Here is the finished product (9 Ft tall) after all the little leaves and flowers are welded on, each one individually cut out by hand and then painted with a combinations of rust/red/orange paint to mimic the real thing.
 Here it is in it's new home in Cave Creek, Arizona.  The buyer was thrilled and so was I.  I guarantee it will never need to be transplanted and it will never freeze!  It was a Good Day!

So Just after I sent this my customer sent me this lovely note and these beautiful pictures!!!
I'm so happy she's loves it.....

Thank you, Susie, for the wonderful job you did on my Ocotillo sculpture!!! It is even more beautiful than I could have imagined and it fits perfectly in my landscape. I'm thrilled :-)

I took a couple of photos as the sun was going down and thought you might like to see them. You are welcome to use the photos if you like.

I wish you much success in your business!

 She takes way better pictures than I do!!!!!

4 comments:

stregata said...

The ocotillo is really fantastic - great work!

Barry said...

SZQ - not only a huge statement and beauty but also so good that the owners have placed it so well in the environment so that it just looks part of it. Well done on finishing what would have been a challenging commission but also in knowing that it is out there - appreciated and weathering. B

Jerry Carlin said...

and you don't have to water it! So cool, SooZee! What did you use as a base? I have used break drums for some of my projects, the older, fluted kind are pretty cool.

hjn said...

GORGEOUS!!! I just LOVE it! You do need to be oh so proud of this piece my friend! So glad I stopped by tonight! I have missed seeing your beautiful creations!!
Have a happy week ahead!
;) Holli

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