Altamira Fine Art in Scottsdale, AZ is pleased to present an exhibition of new work by Dyana Hesson May 5-16, 2026.
Please join us for the Artist Reception on Thursday, May 7th from 6-8pm.
Lessons From the Hilltop
“I love a rise in the land, a scramble to the top, a view. Lessons from the Hilltop for me is about the journey, the getting there, the things you discover not only about the wild, but about yourself as you tramp along. There are areas I love to return to in the southwest, and I am enamored with what those places reveal from year to year.” – Dyana Hesson
Dyana Hesson’s latest body of work revels in the process of discovery. Whether stumbling upon a vast meadow on the way up a mountain or witnessing the quiet landing of a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly on a Wallflower, she is hardwired to be in tune with nature’s splendor. “There is no place on earth like the southwest. The diversity here in Arizona from sea level to over 12,000 feet is rich in interesting geology, animal and plant life. I crave wide open spaces and endless vistas, morning birdsong and sunset blankets of pink and purple skies. I breathe deeply under wispy clouds, I feel joy standing in unexpected rain bursts, and smile when coyotes sing at sunset.”, Hesson says.
Known for her vibrant large-scale oil paintings, each work is rooted in lived experience, the plants and flowers she paints are all discovered first- hand through hikes, fieldwork and restoration efforts. Her signature style, characterized by thin layers of paint and a luminous focal point set against minimalist backgrounds, strike a contemporary note and accentuate the artists deep reverence for her subjects. Lessons from the Hilltop emphasizes gaining new perspectives; not only in the destination but what is forged in the journey. “There will always be something new to discover and learn about. At this stage of my career, it’s about quality rather than quantity. Every piece should be my best and that drive pushes me onward.”, the artist says.
Hesson is a Master of the Southwest award winner, Master Signature member of American Women Artists, and a founding member of the Art on the Wild Side art exhibit program at the Phoenix Zoo. She has work in the permanent collection of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Mayo Clinic Phoenix Campus, Barrows Neurological Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Phoenix Sky Harbor Museum. Her latest book The Art of Wildflowers was recently published by Arizona Highways. Hesson lives in Mesa, Arizona with her husband Randy, daughter Sydney and Jack Russell terrier, Beau.
Pre-sales are available. Contact the gallery for details, 480-949-1256/ az@altamiraart.com.
