The vibrant paintings of largely self-taught Texas native Downe Burns reflect the passion he has both for painting and for life itself. Inspired by the natural beauty of his desert surroundings, the artist chooses to paint this landscape, adding his own unique interpretation. "I am a colorist at heart," Downe admits, "and I often spend hours blending pigments to find just the perfect shade. For me, the subject is often secondary. Color is my forte." As another trademark touch, often inserts an element such as the saguaro cacti, which is somehow out of character, melding this unusual composition and his electrifying colors into an image that is truly unforgettable. Downe Burns lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, during the 1980s and currently resides in Lubbock, Texas, where he was born and grew up.*