“My life as an artist began as a felon.” While that statement is an exaggeration, it provides an insight into the wonderful wit with which Curt Walters approaches life. The felonious incident he is referring to was the theft of his sister’s paint set, which he coveted as a young boy. If the end does indeed justify the means, it was a theft that deserves forgiveness.

Curt Walters (Arizona)

The Arborists’ Reward
Oil
28″ By 28″
I have always been fascinated by the arborists’ craft, especially with regard to apple trees. This ancient agricultural art reveals manicured, old wood bursting with new growth. These trees are an expression of the synthesis of man’s hands and nature’s bounty. I painted this at Garlands Lodge. This orchard is in one of the first homesteads in Sedona’s Oak Creek Canyon.

Curt Walters (Arizona)

Enigmatic Long House
Oil
36″ By 36″
Last September, my friend, sculptor Veryl Goodnight, arranged a very special outing for a few artists. We were able to paint inside the ruins of Mesa Verde. I remember, as a child, walking through the ruins with my family and being mesmerized by the ancient stonework of Long House. So, of course, I jumped at the chance to paint from this special vantage point. What an odd and surreal moment it was, and one of the most fascinating painting experiences I’ve had. Inside, it was quiet and cold. To stand inside the cool shade of these abandoned structures and experience the natural forms of the ruins and the cliff side above and beyond felt spooky. And, although I didn’t feel any personal danger or fear, it was as if I were trespassing in time. The mystery of the Anasazi and their sudden departure, their spirit, and memory all live on inside the very walls they built so long ago.