Keep in Touch

Please feel free to leave a reply. We love to hear from you!

Friday, February 24, 2012

OK call us crazy!

Ok call us crazy, but we really like the desert foliage and natural beauty. Even at this time of the year when there are just a few blooms. On the second day we were "homeless" we packed a picnic lunch and took off for the western side of the Saguaro National Park. This is a repeat visit for us, but I will never tire of the peacefulness of a quiet drive or hike through the desert.


Barrel cactus.


Everything that is blooming now, seems to be yellow. Pretty pinks and purples come later in the spring.


After lunch I took a hike on an easy trail while Ron rested in the car. He really wants to come with me but would never make it with his knees.


Getting a little more challenging. Remember, I just
had another birthday :(


Yikes!!


The reward is a great view of these petroglyphs at the top of the trail, created over a thousand years ago by the Hohokam people.

Remember to sign up for email notification of upcoming posts.

Hope all is well!

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

Before I start this post, I wanted to let everyone know you can now sign up to receive an email each time a new post is written. On the right hand side you'll see a box "Follow by Email". Enter your email address, type in the security letters/number (I know I hate this part too), then you will receive an email. Once you confirm the email you should be set up.

Since the coach was in repairs for 3 days we had to find something to do. We spent several hours at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. Ted DeGrazia (1909-1982)was the son of Italian immigrants. His appreciation of Territorial Arizona, the native cultures in the Sonoran Desert and his passion for art are the background for his magnificent paintings.

He established the Gallery in the Sun when he could not find any other galleries interested in exhibiting his artwork.




Many of his paintings have a religious theme.



"Wind from the East"


A self portrait





You can spend hours on the grounds which comprise of 10 acres in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains. Besides the gallery there are beautiful gardens, a Mission in honor of Fr. Kino and dedicated to the patron saint of Mexico - Our Lady of Guadalupe. Using traditional adobe bricks crafted on site, De Grazia built the Gallery and many of the other structures.

In 1976 publications such as the WSJ and People Magazine reported he hauled 100 of his paintings on horseback into the Superstition Mountains and set them ablaze to protest inheritance taxes on works of art. An interesting fellow.

A must see if your in the Tucson area and like spending a few quiet, peaceful hours surrounded by beautiful art. And the admission is free!

Hope all is well!!