I visited the American South West in 1987, partly to give a guest lecture at Arizona State University and partly to research illustrations for my book on Taste. I was struck by the exotic desert landscapes of course but equally by the lush suburban scenes of Scottsdale, where I stayed. ‘Donald’ was my host, the late Donald Bush, then Professor of architecture at ASU.
Back home the paintings were worked-up in the studio from photographs and sketches done during that trip. Like that the Mediterranean, the intense light of Arizona enabled me to use the strong colour palette I had earlier developed for the Raga series. As I worked on the Arizona paintings I realised that impressions re-drawn from memories were often more intense than the original experiences, so that returning to themes after several years have passed has become a recurrent practice.
Canyon, the way down
Oil on canvas. 48 x 48 in (100 x 120 cm).
Incredibly, paths zig-zag down the canyon.
Canyon with pine
1990. Oil on canvas. 60 x 60 in ( 150 x 150 cm).
One of the great scenic views from the southern cliff-top.
Canyon
Oil on canvas. 60 x 60 in (150 x 150 cm).
The ‘canyon’ paintings were my response to a challenge to paint this famous ‘National Geographic’ scene without shame or affectation.
Desert garden car park
1991. Oil on canvas. 50 x 50 in (125 x 125 cm).
Volvo and Seguara address each other in the car park of Tempe’s Desert Botanic Garden.
Desert Garden, Tempe
1993. Oil on canvas. 48 x 36 in (120 x 90 cm).
Tempe’s desert botanical garden is located not far from the flight-path into Phoenix International Airport. Planes make their final approach over a scene of cactus and seguara.
Donald’s House
1992. Oil on canvas. 32 x 24 in (80 x 60 cm).
Donald was the late Professor Donald Bush, my host at Arizona State University.
Camelback from Donald’s House
1992. Oil on canvas. 50 x 40 in (123 x 100 cm).
The twin humps of the mountain which dominates Scottsdale gives it the name.
Street scene, Phoenix
1994. Oil on canvas. 48 x 36 in (120 x 90 cm).
Streets empty of people except those in cars was my abiding memory of downtown Phoenix.
Condominium
1994. Oil on canvas. 48 x 36 in (120 x 90 cm).
Outside the immediate centre, Phoenix is a low-rise city with palms taking the place of London planes.
Villa with prickly pear
1992. Oil on canvas. 48 x 36 in (120 x 90 cm).
Just around the corner from E. Wilshire.
8503, Scottsdale
1992. Oil on canvas. 36 x 30 in (90 x 75 cm).
Although I went primarily to gather images of interiors for my book ‘Taste Today’, the architecture of the suburbs around Scottsdale caught my eye as we drove.
Seguara, Scottsdale
1990. Oil on canvas. 40 x 36 in (100 x 90 cm).
Seguaras, removed from the desert and replanted, provide an amazing constrast with the contemporary architecture of Scottsdale.
E. Wilshire Drive
1991. Oil on canvas. 48 x 48 in (120 x 120 cm).
E. Wilshire with its low-rise Spanish style housesis a characteristic part of Scottsdale suburbia.
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