Emily Nunez

Bloom
Oil on Canvas
14″ x 11″ x 1.5″

Painting is a way for me to express my connection to nature and my surroundings. I paint southern CA landscapes and plants and turn to my own backyard and love of nature for inspiration. People often think of the desert as a brown and barren place, but I aim to highlight the color, life, and vibrancy found in the desert in my work. The paintings “Desert Magic Hour” & “Bloom” feature Joshua trees and a cactus. These plants symbolically represent growth, resiliency, and survival. Joshua trees and cacti, native California plants, are able to survive and thrive in the most harsh, hot climate. My paintings are an homage to their beauty and strength. But how resilient are these plants to global warming? According to the LA Times, scientists predict that if humans fail to lower carbon emissions, Joshua trees may not be able to survive at JTNP within 80 years. I strive for my art to showcase the majestic quality of the desert, in hopes that we act to protect these sacred plants and places.