54th WAOW National Exhibition, "Dreamweavers"

VANESSA RUSCZYK MOJAVE YUCCA

VANESSA RUSCZYK GHOST FLOWER

I had searched for Ghost Flowers for many years during spring hikes in the desert near my home in San Diego. Recently I was rewarded with a beautiful specimen, barely visible off the trail. The pale translucent petals give the flower its name. Ghost Flowers do not produce nectar, so they have evolved to mimic a similar desert flower in order to attract pollinators. It is also believed that the dark red spot mimics a female bee, thereby drawing in male bees for pollination. The beauty of flowers like this one is not just visual; it is also the exploration, research, and creation

Also known as the Spanish dagger, the Mojave Yucca is found in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts of the Southwestern US. Despite the ominous sounding name, in spring the plant sends up stalks of beautiful, delicate pale flowers, which are only Native Americans of the region historically harvested the yucca for many uses including food, fiber, and soap. The plants’ ability to grow with very little rainfall means it is relatively plentiful in these harsh desert environments. I found this particular one blooming by the side of the road on the drive home from Anza Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego county, requiring a sudden stop to pull over and get photos. pollinated by the small yucca moth.

that result from the search for one small flower.

16” x 12” — Oil $1,200

20” x 16” — Oil $1,700

VANESSA RUSCZYK • WAOW Associate • CA • www.studiosoledad.com Vanessa Rusczyk’s award-winning paintings of native flora and Western landscapes give viewers a close look at plant structure and natural design, immersing them in that small world on a human scale. Her paintings are inspired by hikes around her San Diego home and trips to the desert regions of the American Southwest. She is a signature member of American Women Artists and a member of Women Artists of the West.

VANESSA RUSCZYK • WAOW Associate • CA • www.studiosoledad.com Vanessa Rusczyk’s award-winning paintings of native flora and Western landscapes give viewers a close look at plant structure and natural design, immersing them in that small world on a human scale. Her paintings are inspired by hikes around her San Diego home and trips to the desert regions of the American Southwest. She is a signature member of American Women Artists and a member of Women Artists of the West.

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