Diana Madaras has lived a love story. What began as a temporary stop on her way to graduate school became a lifelong devotion to Tucson and the Southwest—places that captured her heart with desert light, vivid color, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments.

“I live a romantic lifestyle,” Diana says, “turning my passion for Western living into art.”

The romance she speaks of is not distant or abstract. It lives in the warmth of a courtyard wall, the strum of a guitar by a desert campfire, or the sight of 3,000 acres of open range at White Stallion Ranch. These moments have fueled her art, and through this year’s Fall Show, she shares them anew. Romancing the Art unveils 24 new original paintings, ranging from expressive florals and serene courtyards to sweeping desert vistas and soulful animal portraits. Each is alive with luminous color and heartfelt expression, capturing the spirit of the Southwest that has defined her career.

This is Madaras Gallery’s most anticipated event of the year, offering collectors an intimate opportunity to experience Diana’s newest paintings and acquire pieces from her most significant body of art.

Saguaro Celebration

Acrylic | Size: 24x30” | Framed Size: 35x40”

$8,000

This painting is all about depth, light and atmosphere, and invites quiet reflection of the Sonoran Desert near Dove Mountain. As the mountains recede, they take on a bluish cast which creates a sense of space and distance. The cluster of cacti in the foreground dance in the early morning light and appear to celebrate their existence.

🔴 SOLD Symphony in the Desert

Acrylic | Size: 36x36” | Framed Size: 38x38”

$10,500

This painting is a vibrant, abstract composition using sagauro shapes to create a tapestry of color. I applied paint to the canvas with a palette knife using random bold, strokes to create unique patterns. I then shaped saguaros around the color. In the foreground, several musical instrument shapes surprisingly emerged which inspired further development of a musical theme. The color and patterns form dynamic, abstract shapes that coexist with the realistic shape of the saguaro. My goal was to balance spontaneity with deliberate structure and create an image both alive and complex.

Fountain Blue

Watercolor | Size: 14x17” | Framed Size: 25x28”

$2,500

I was asked to paint a canvas for one of the Tucson Museum of Art’s designer showcase houses. When I was installing the painting at the house, I noticed this beautiful fountain in the backyard surrounded by interesting foliage and flowers. The architectural elements, along with the blooming flowers and cacti, made a great painting subject.

Cabo

Watercolor + Pastel | Size: 22x15” | Framed Size: 31x24”

$2,800

The famous Arch at Land’s End is the most recognizable landmark in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Tourists take daily boat trips to picnic or swim near Pelican Rock away from the crashing surf. I was attracted to the various colors in the looming rock walls contrasted against the crash of the ocean waves that bathe its base.

🔴 SOLD California Dreamin'

Acrylic | Size: 16x12” | Framed Size: 23x19”

$2,500

The beach in La Jolla near Scripps Pier is one of my favorites. It is more than a mile long and very flat, so easy to walk. When one looks to the south towards the town of La Jolla, this is the glowing scene at sunset.

🔴 SOLD Arizona Tanager

Watercolor | Size: 12x9” | Framed Size: 22x18”

$1,650

Many thanks to wildlife photographer Richard Fray for allowing me to use his beautiful reference photo of an Orange Flamed Tanager he saw in Miller Canyon, AZ. I am always amazed that such beautiful and colorful creatures like tanagers, cardinals and vermilion flycatchers grace our earth-toned desert.

🔴 SOLD Sasha's Flowers

Watercolor + Pastel | Size: 15x20” | Framed Size: 26x32”

$2,750

I was working on this still life the night Sasha and her husband Kurtis invited us for dinner. I left the painting in my studio that afternoon feeling it was unfinished. When I saw a flower arrangement Sasha had created that included beautiful white baby’s breath, I knew just what I needed to add to complete the painting.

🔴 SOLD Paradise Creek

Acrylic | Size: 18x24” | Framed Size: 25x31”

$3,200

A painting from the White Mountains, this serene river scene on the narrow road to Hawley Lake evokes tranquility. The blue tones in the water create a striking contrast to the lush green foliage and earthy browns of the surrounding landscape. The yellow flowers add a vibrant pop of color to an overall meditative mood. The painting is dedicated to friend Amber Jacoby.

🔴 SOLD Coyote Blues

Acrylic | Size: 40x30” | Framed Size: 50x40”

$10,500

This piece tells a story through form and color. I began by randomly applying paint on the canvas with a palette knife. I then drew the shape of the coyote and painted the background around him. Next, I designed the colors within the body to give it a mosaic-like effect. The small, dotted patterns add texture and connect the Coyote to the background. My favorite paintings combine realism with abstraction. The use of geometric shapes gives the Coyote a cubist feel, inherent in many of my paintings. I don’t consciously decide how I will paint–I try to just let creativity flow. One could look at this painting for a long time and continue to discover new surprises.

🔴 SOLD Oaxacan Courtyard

Watercolor + Pastel | Size: 20x14” | Framed Size: 29x24”

$3,000

This romantic Mexican courtyard is full of blooming life and soft, tropical vegetation surrounding the mystique of what lies beyond the inviting adobe arch.

🔴 SOLD Florentine Horse

Enhanced Giclée | Size: 40x30” | Framed Size: 50x40"

$8,500

This is the fourth painting in the Golden Horse series and depicts the majesty of the Duomo in Florence—one of the largest cathedrals in the world. I fell in love with Florence many years ago and was inspired by the incredible detail on the building and enormity of the structure that took 140 years to construct. The intricate patterns on the Duomo provided the inspiration for “tattooing” this fourth horse who now carries the massive cathedral into the ethers of eternity.

🔴 SOLD Bird Perch

Acrylic | Size: 16x20” | Framed Size: 22.5x26.5"

$3,200

I was intrigued when I noticed the play of light and shadow on the cacti as the sun began to set on the dramatic foothills of Dove Mountain. Although the bird atop the saguaro is a small part of the painting, her presence completed the scene and added a dynamic element to the piece.

🔴 SOLD Purple Moose

Acrylic | Size: 12x9” | Framed Size: 17x14.5"

$1,650

I was lucky enough to see several moose on a trip to Glacier National Park. A male, female, and baby were wading in a shallow pond and after the male spotted us, he chased us back to the van. He is purple just because I felt like painting him purple at the time I sat down at the easel. Sometimes you just have to listen to that little voice in your head.

🔴 SOLD In the Sand

Watercolor | Size: 16.5x15” | Framed Size: 25x24"

$2,750

If my ball had not landed in the sand trap on hole #3 on the Mountain course at Ventana Canyon, I might not have noticed the incredible scene looking back at the tee box. It’s never ideal to be in the sand. but capturing this view made the trip to the beach worth it.

🔴 SOLD On the Green

Watercolor | Size: 16.5x15” | Framed Size: 25x24"

$2,750

This is a much happier landing spot on Mountain 3 at Ventana Canyon because it means one has sailed the ball over the “valley of death”—a canyon of prickly desert and rattlesnakes that has claimed many a golf ball. Looking back towards the green affords scenery just as spectacular as when one stands on the elevated tee box looking out towards the rugged Catalina Mountains. I have enjoyed painting both views several times. This dramatic Signature Hole has garnered national recognition for Ventana.

🔴 SOLD Ventana #5

Acrylic | Size: 16x20” | Framed Size: 22x27"

$2,800

This painting celebrates the quiet beauty of a desert course touched by sunlight. The shadows dance on the cart path and create interesting shapes. One of the joys for me while playing golf is experiencing the serenity and beauty of the desert. I am not consciously looking for painting opportunities, but occasionally a scene like this will catch my attention and I then photograph it to remember the details. In this painting, the vibrant prickly pear in the foreground leads one into the painting towards the water, then the distant mountains. The layers of scenery create a sense of depth and place. The cool blues and lush greens complemented by the bright yellows and reds create a colorful yet peaceful atmosphere.

🔴 SOLD Little Bear

Acrylic | Size: 12x9” | Framed Size: 17x14.5"

$1,650

Thanks so much to friend and photographer Rocky LaRose for this great photo of a little grizzly she took while in Alaska. It is one of her favorite bear photos, and mine, as well. The little guy is foraging through the wilderness, trying to find his way as he sets out on his own to discover the world.

Top of the World

Acrylic | Size: 16x20” | Framed Size: 22x26"

$2,800

This painting was created in honor of the Reid Park Zoo’s 60th birthday. I set out to capture the strength and dignity of these amazing lions. They are wild and majestic and pensive as they watch over their domain with powerful grace and quiet companionship.

Blanche

Acrylic | Size: 12x9” | Framed Size: 17x14.5"

$1,600

This is friend Linda Grissom’s beagle named Blanche. The painting captures a quiet, intimate moment as sweet Blanche rested her head on the pillow in angelic sleep. I wish I could sleep as soundly!

🔴 SOLD Messy Hair Day

Acrylic | Size: 9x12” | Framed Size: 14.5x17"

$1,400

Sunflowers are some of my favorite flowers to paint. This piece celebrates their unbridled joy and exuberance as they sway in the wind. I used large brushstrokes and a palette knife to convey the movement and looseness. They always bring a smile.

🔴 SOLD Joy in Bloom

Watercolor | Size: 24x36” | Framed Size: 26x36"

$5,000

This is the first time I have painted on watercolor canvas. It behaved a little differently than watercolor paper, but was fascinating to work on. I liked the way I could paint wet into wet and get soft edges and a romantic feel in this lovely floral scene.

🔴 SOLD Portrait of a Wildcat

Acrylic | Size: 9x12” | Framed Size: 14.5x17"

$1,900

Thanks to Rob Boone for a great reference photo of this young wildcat. Wildcats are one of my favorite desert animals and I never tire of painting them. Occasionally, I will glance up from the easel and catch a glimpse of one strolling through my front yard. It is magical! My goal in this painting was to capture the wildcat’s stunning facial features and riveting eyes which convey the mystery of the creature. For me, eyes in a portrait are the most important. The moment I finish the eyes, the animal comes to life.

🔴 SOLD The Great Gate

Watercolor | Size: 16x12” | Framed Size: 27x23"

$3,000

This scene was inspired by a gate at an old historic building on the east side of Tucson. I liked the Spanish style arch and adobe walls, and the lush vegetation gave it an inviting, tropical feel. What really attracted me to the scene, however, was the dance of the shadows on the walkway leading up to the gate.

🔴 SOLD Mountain Trek

Acrylic | Size: 30x24” | Framed Size: 38x32”

As I was packing to move to Tucson nearly 50 years ago, people in New Jersey told me the desert was nothing more than sand and cactus. I expected the Sahara. Instead, I was awestruck by the blue and purple mountains, colorful fruit growing on cactus pads, and all the different blooms in the springtime desert. The rain brings a plethora of color and joy to a dry, brown landscape.