​Remember the days of art class filled with rows of students meticulously replicating a pre-sketched still life? While those exercises have their place, a new wave of art educators is embracing a more empowering approach: choice-based art education. This method dismantles the traditional teacher-as-director model and places students at the heart of their artistic journey. Imagine an art room transformed – not a sterile space with rows of desks, but a vibrant hub buzzing with creative energy. Here, shelves overflow with diverse materials – paints in every hu ..read more

Group Project: Drawing copy of John Singer Sargent Painting, Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose (Tate Britain) ​Over the past few years, I have developed a fun group drawing project with my senior high school art students, that has yielded consistently remarkable outcomes. Now, I'm thrilled to extend the invitation to you, as I firmly believe this project holds significant potential for adaptation across middle and high school settings alike. Centered on teamwork and meticulous attention to detail, this lesson not only showcases the creativity of each individual but also fosters a sense of collecti ..read more

Weaver's Needle, by Bruce Black Arizona's deserts. Often dismissed as barren wastelands, they evoke images of scorching sun, prickly cacti, and endless stretches of sand. But for artists, these landscapes hold a hidden magic, a raw beauty that begs to be captured on canvas. As an Arizona landscape artist myself, I'm here to tell you: the deserts are not devoid of splendor. They are, in fact, bursting with an unexpected kind of enchantment, waiting to be unveiled through the lens of art. ​Beyond the Cacti: A Palette of Unexpected Colors ​Sure, the iconic saguaros stand tall, their silhouettes ..read more

Pebbles Cast In classrooms, where the light of knowledge gleams, A teacher, like a lantern, guides the way, Each student, a vessel for their dreams, A pebble cast, where ripples gently sway.   Noir shadows dance, as lessons take their flight, A tapestry of wisdom finely spun, In every mind, a spark of wondrous light, A journey started, with the morning sun.   As pebbles cast into a darkened pond, Each student's mind, a canvas to explore, The teacher's influence, a ripple fond, Expanding outward, reaching distant shore.   Through a teacher’s lens, the world may see, One student ..read more

America, A Still Life 9” tall X 12” wide | oil on panel $850 In the heart of my classroom, a vibrant tableau came to life on canvas in the form of "America, a still life." This small yet impactful painting emerged as a successful painting as I indulged my artistic impulses while setting up an exercise for my students. The focus of this colorful still life was a vertical school bell, an antique relic from the era of one-room schoolhouses, previously belonging to my mother, a dedicated elementary school teacher. The composition unfolded with the inclusion of a small red jar, designed to cradl ..read more

Stoneman Meadow, 16" X 20" oil on linen panel, Bruce Black, $2,200 Available  In the 1970s, my grandfather, Paul Wilson, made an investment in a parcel of land nestled in the tranquil woods of Northern Arizona. Armed with an O'Mally cabin kit, he undertook the task of constructing what would become our cherished family cabin. Through the passage of time, this cabin has become an heirloom, a cherished retreat now under the ownership of us, the grandchildren. It stands as more than just a structure; it is my sanctuary, my Walden's cabin—a place where I seek solace and rejuvenation. Captu ..read more

Ponderosa Sunset 9” tall X 12” wide | oil on canvas $850 As the sun sets in the mountains of Northern Arizona, the forest becomes still, as if all the woodland creatures have collectively stopped to watch the magnificent light show.  Orange and yellow colors collide with blues and purples to make a luminous tapestry that takes your breath.  ​ While this little (9” x 12”) painting cannot hope to do justice to the moment witnessed, it captures the memory of the event and serves as a reminder of the potential of nature to arrest our attention and remind us of what is important in life ..read more

Elephant's Feet, AZ, 9" X 12", oil on panel, Bruce Black ​In the midst of my 8th-grade year, a remarkable backpacking journey through the Arizona Desert unfolded, leading my friend, his father, and me to the iconic Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell. However, before starting our nearly thirty-mile hike, we first camped beneath the imposing Elephant’s Feet rocks, nestled in the heart of the Navajo Nation.  Little did I realize then that this unplanned pitstop would etch itself into my memories even more vividly than the ensuing hike. The mesmeric beauty of the Navajo Nation's mesas served as ..read more

Arizona Landscape Painting: Flagstaff Clouds, 11"X14" Bruce Black Embark on a visual journey through Northern Arizona's summer monsoon with a landscape painter's brush as your guide. In this piece, we delve into the creation of a captivating Arizona landscape painting that transcends the stereotypical desert imagery, focusing on the dynamic interplay of clouds above the Mogollon Rim. When Northern Arizona beckons during the summer monsoon, heed the call. Picture expansive skies painted in hues of bright blue, transforming abruptly into towering cloud formations. Sunlight pierces through the ..read more

Embracing the Beauty of the Southwest Through Brush and Palette ​ ​In the vast canvas of Arizona's landscape, Bruce Black has carved his artistic identity, becoming a true Arizona artist whose brushstrokes tell the story of the southwestern terrain. From the arid deserts to the lush pine forests of Northern Arizona, Bruce's paintings are a testament to his lifelong love affair with the vibrant landscapes that surround him. Grand Canyon Brook, 16 x 20, Bruce Black Early Roots and Artistic Awakening ​Growing up in Phoenix, Bruce's artistic journey began under the nurturing guidance of his pare ..read more