Prickly Pears & Desert Flora

Dancing Trees On a Hill

Oil on stretched canvas
16"x20" (2024)
A vivid and expressive depiction of desert trees swaying in harmony atop a gentle hill.

Derelict

Oil on stretched canvas
24"x30" (2024)
A haunting desert structure weathered by time, “Derelict” captures the beauty of decay through textured strokes and moody contrasts. This piece evokes solitude and forgotten stories embedded in the Arizona landscape.

El Nopal de la Mañana

Oil on stretched canvas
16"x20" (2024)
This painting captures the beauty of a nopal cactus bathed in soft morning light. With subtle highlights and expressive texture, it pays homage to the quiet resilience and iconic presence of desert flora.

El Nopal de la Mañana

Cottonwood Pears

Oil on stretched canvas
20"x24" (2023)
A rich composition blending the bold forms of prickly pears with the soft glow of cottonwood trees, capturing the spirit of Arizona’s natural beauty.

Dos Saguaros Revisited

Oil on stretched canvas
24"x36" (2024)
Towering like desert guardians, the twin saguaros in this piece symbolize strength and resilience. With vibrant tones and expressive brushwork, this painting revisits a classic southwestern motif with fresh emotion and grandeur.

Nopales Rápidos

Oil on stretched canvas
16"x20" (2025)
An energetic depiction of prickly pear pads in motion, “Nopales Rápidos” showcases bold brushwork and expressive color. The painting captures the vitality of desert life with a dynamic composition that invites the viewer to feel the movement of the landscape.

Nomad

Oil on stretched canvas
16"x20" (2024)
A compelling self-portrait, “Nomad” reveals the artist’s introspective side. Set against an expansive desert backdrop, the piece blends identity and environment. Strong textures and expressive strokes reflect both solitude and movement — embodying a spirit of searching and belonging.

Sin Nombre

Oil on stretched canvas
11"x14" (2024)
A subtle and thought-provoking piece, “Sin Nombre” which translates to “Without a Name” — invites personal interpretation. With its soft palette and open composition, the painting allows viewers to project their own emotions and meanings, making it one of Matthew’s more introspective desert-inspired works.

The Pears
Oil on stretched canvas
12" x 12" (2025)

A tender yet bold depiction of clustered prickly pears, The Pears captures the elegance in desert simplicity. With its balanced composition and rich texture, the piece draws attention to the natural geometry of the cacti. It’s a quiet homage to resilience, growth, and the often-overlooked beauty in stillness.

Prickly Pears

Oil on stretched canvas
16"x20" (2023)
This bold and colorful painting captures the iconic desert plant in full expression. With its rich textures and vibrant hues, “Prickly Pears” reflects Matthew’s fascination with Southwestern flora. The piece balances soft, dusty tones with vivid accents, evoking both beauty and resilience.

The Crawling Pears

(In The Red Desert)

Oil on stretched canvas
11"x16" (2025)
A surreal interpretation of desert life, The Crawling Pears features prickly pears as if animated, moving across the red desert floor. This whimsical yet grounded piece speaks to the quiet movement and persistent growth in arid landscapes. The contrast between vibrant reds and the earthy greens makes it visually striking and conceptually unique.

The Sun Worshippers
Oil on stretched canvas
16" x 20" (2025)

This vibrant piece showcases desert flora basking in the golden Arizona sun. The Sun Worshippers celebrates the harmony between nature and light, with warm tones radiating energy and life. The composition captures the way desert plants reach skyward, full of reverence and resilience. It's both poetic and bold, echoing the artist’s deep connection to the Southwest landscape.

Two Sentinels

Oil on stretched canvas
18" x 24" (2025)
Majestic and stoic, Two Sentinels captures a powerful scene of twin saguaros standing tall against the expansive Arizona horizon. Symbolizing guardianship and resilience, these towering cacti evoke both strength and solitude. The soft, dusty palette contrasts with bold outlines, highlighting the desert’s quiet intensity. This piece speaks to the timeless presence of nature’s watchful protectors.
Wasteland Rose

Wasteland Rose
Oil on stretched canvas
20" x 24" (2024)
Emerging from the barren terrain, Wasteland Rose tells a story of unexpected beauty and resilience. A single desert flower blossoms in the midst of cracked earth and muted tones, drawing the eye with its soft yet defiant presence. This painting reflects the contrast between desolation and hope, a theme deeply rooted in southwestern landscapes. Its layered textures and thoughtful composition invite reflection on nature’s quiet strength and endurance.
Conjoined – Art Print

Oil on stretched canvas (Print)
11" x 14" (Unframed)
This print captures the striking imagery of two saguaros intertwined, symbolizing unity and shared strength. The detailed textures and balanced composition evoke a sense of harmony within the rugged beauty of the desert. Perfect for collectors who appreciate the emotional depth behind natural forms, Conjoined makes a bold yet serene statement in any space.
Derelict – Original Painting

Oil on stretched canvas
24" x 30" (Unframed)
Price: $1,075
This powerful piece presents a forgotten structure reclaimed by the desert, evoking themes of decay, passage of time, and resilience. Derelict captures a haunting beauty through textured brushwork and warm, sunbaked tones. The contrast between the man-made and the natural invites reflection, making it a compelling centerpiece for collectors of Southwestern and expressive landscape art.
SunWorshippers

Oil on stretched canvas
16" x 20"
The Sun Worshippers radiates warmth and reverence, portraying desert flora soaking in the Arizona sun as if in ritual. With bold textures and vibrant hues, the piece blends surreal elements with expressive realism. It captures the energy of the desert at its most sacred alive, glowing, and full of spirit. A celebration of nature’s rhythm and light, this painting adds a touch of majesty to any collection.