A Lesson (Bullhead City, AZ)

Bullhead City is a dusty town in Arizona on the bank of the Colorado River. Across the river lies Nevada, where gambling is legal and the siren call of the casinos’ neon signs glitter endlessly into the river’s reflection. One morning during my stay, the local church was at the park giving meals to homeless people. A sugar-voiced preacher babbled into a microphone. Two men sat in quiet serenity after eating. I asked them if it would be alright if I painted them. They looked at me and nodded slowly. A few young people wandered by later on and screamed when they saw their friends in the painting. We giggled together in spontaneous joy under the watchful desert sun. All day people brought me parts of their meals – crackers with cheese, applesauce, fruit snacks, and even some coffee. A man named Ace gave me a little drawing of a palm tree on part of a bamboo mat. I’m ashamed to say I was nervous that morning about the homeless people in the park. In the end everyone all but embraced me as I worked. What a stark contrast it was to the times I’ve painted in the upscale downtowns of America. This day unfolded into one of the sweetest times I had on the road. This piece was featured in my recent solo show, "Finding America". It was held at Headquarters Gallery in Telluride for the month of September, 2020. The work measures 8x10 inches and is varnished and unframed. The standard size will make it very easy to frame. Please feel free to message me, visit my office hours or make an appointment to chat, if you'd like more information.