Lupe Cavanaugh has been named artist of the month, for December, by the Palo Verde Artists,

Cavanaugh has always had a passion for drawing and painting. She was given paints as toys that kept her busy throughout her childhood. During high school, she colored her classmate’s photographs using transparent oils. That was a win-win situation. She earned her spending money, the students liked their colored photos, and she could manage her time.

Cavanaugh loved acrylics for their texture and brilliance but switched to oils when she moved to Arizona from California until she learned how to keep her acrylics from drying. She also learned to paint with watercolors in Arizona and was exposed to wood carving. Lupe became immediately addicted to carving. After a month or two, she discovered that carving taught her to see in three dimensions, improving her drawing and painting skills.

Cavanaugh states that she feels fortunate to be an artist; she is never bored. Painting and carving put her in a zone that makes her feel like she has been meditating. She sells her artwork, and she loves to share her art with special people in her life.

Cavanaugh has won several 1st place awards at Sun City shows and has been awarded people’s choice three times.

View Cavanaugh’s art in the Sundial Recreation Center in the glass showcases by the Palo Verde Club Room, 14801 N. 103rd Ave. Membership in Palo Verde Artists is $10 annually and is open to RCSC cardholders only.

Visit paloverdeartists.com.