“Saddlebrooke Sunset” is a large 30×30″ original oil on canvas painting, fresh off the easel. The mountains that create this backdrop are the Tortolita Mountains. I painted this piece from several different reference photos taken in the area. The Tortolita’s are only a few miles from our home and therefore are often a part of my desert paintings. I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful area.

The Tortolita Mountains:

The Tortolita Mountains are a small mountain range that border the northwest Tucson valley at Oro Valley and Marana. The highest elevation is 4,696 feet, while that does not sound like an impressive altitude, the peaks are very rugged and stark against the dessert background. Most of the range is within the Tortolita Mountain Park and is protected.

Around AD 500 the  Native American people, known as the Hohokam, lived in these mountains. In the eastern foothills of the Tortolita’s you can hike to the ruins of what use to be Honeybee Village a former Hohokam community that is now preserved. Honeybee Canyon is a favorite hiking spot for our family.

Surrounded By Mountains

The Tucson valley is surrounded by mountains which is wonderful for all of us artist who live in the area. The other ranges that are all visible from our area are  Santa Catalina Mountains (we are blessed to have a perfect view out our front living room window), the Rincon Mountains, the Santa Rita Mountains, and the Tucson Mountains (visible from our back yard).