Malpais & Cactus

16 X 12 

Oil on Linen Panel

Malpais is the rough and barren landscape that consists of ancient and largely uneroded lava fields exhibiting recognizable lava flows, and other volcanic landforms. The lava that makes up the malpais near Carrizozo, NM, is black. Dirt has blown in on top of it and plants grow around it. When we had a 150 gallon fish tank we boiled some of the lava rock to get rid of any potential impurities and put it in the tank. The fish didn't mind and it was beautiful.

Red fruit on a prickly pear cactus is called a tuna. The tall cactus is a cholla and blooms hot pink, yellow, or white in June.