Mato Paha Pine

The last finished painting for 2015:

"Mato Paha Pine"
2015
46" x 34"
acrylic on canvas

click on image for a larger view.

Latest Painting: "At Last I Have My Eyes"

http://www.mattpulford.com/

click on the image below for a larger view:

"At Last I Have My Eyes"
Matt Pulford
acrylic on canvas
46" x 34"
2015

Hiking Arizona with "One of the Five"

I often say that, outside of my family, I can count on one hand the number of friends for whom I would take a bullet. I recently had the opportunity to spend an extended weekend with "one of the five," my friend Merry. This also meant I got to finally meet her husband and their daughter - both very cool people. And every single minute was amazing.

Here are pics from our hiking excursions. Click on any image for a larger view...

Took off early to the Grand Canyon the first day. Did a half-day hike. This is the beginning of our descent.

beginning switchbacks of Yaki Point Trail

Merry and I at beginning of Yaki Point Trail

further down into the next formation

OhhAhh Point, our destination

Merry and Viv at OhhAhh Point

view from OhhAhh Point

view from OhhAhh Point

Viv's first of many times where she'd run up and hug me. Girl is the sweetest.

the ascent back up

the ascent back up

Merry on the ascent back up

we set up camp outside the rim and then quickly went back for sunset.

5:30am at the camp next morning

Merry, Vivian, and Beau - next day at the Canyon's east rim. Colorado River in the background.

next day at the Canyon's east rim.

Viv wanted to pose with these flowers i was photographing

Rain squall. We drove to Camp Verde to do up the waterfall but it was too crowded and the rangers closed the road to keep it clear for emergencies. Switched gears and went to Black Canyon Trail.

Black Canyon Trail - it was 2:30 when we arrived and there were zero other cars in the parking lot because it was about 105 degrees.

Black Canyon Trail

Black Canyon Trail - a pretty strenuous hike due to the heat, but this is the reward - cold, clear swimming holes.

Black Canyon Trail - the ascent back out, early evening

Black Canyon Trail - the ascent back out, early evening

Black Canyon Trail with Viv - the ascent back out, early evening

Merry and Beau's sweet pooches

their pomegranate tree

their chickens. fresh eggs for breakfast every morning.

"pyre" - new painting

I just finished up a new painting. As the kids grow older, these come more slowly, but still surely. Here's "pyre."

"pyre"
2015
48" x 30"
acrylic on canvas

(detail)
Click on the images for a larger view.

www.mattpulford.com

New design on artist's web site

The transition is all finished up. The previous Matt Pulford dot com is now gussied up and fresh:
http://www.mattpulford.com