Succulents, My Favortie Subject

Succulents have thick fleshy leaves that retain water because they mostly grow in hot dry climates.  They also often grow in sandy or beachy areas which is where I live. 
Succulents come in hundreds of varieties and are grown worldwide.  I think of them as life sustaining because of their ability to offer thirst quenching liquid to a hot traveler. 

This painting was done from a photograph taken in California at Quail Park Botanical Gardens in Encinitas.  I wanted to paint this particular image because of the beautiful colors and shapes and had at first considered cropping the image to get just a few of the leaves.  I finally decided to include almost all of the plant in the painting and I think it worked.  I enjoy painting subjects with many complicated and overlapping shapes and contrasting colors and this painting definitely "fit the bill".