losemygrip, thanks for recommending Arizona State University. I'm a current MFA Painting student there, just finished my first year. Here's some info. about ASU. The painting facilities, Art Annex, are the best studio facilities on campus. They're really nice in comparison to what the sculpture students and other 3-Dimensional grads get to work in. The studios are nice sized, private, there's a lounge/computer room. ASU is a 3 year program. There are A LOT of opportunities to teach as a graduate student. In general each semester there are about 8 color theory classes, 8 2-D design classes, 5 drawing classes. They are really generous about letting graduate students teach for a couple years. Also, it is required that Grad students who teach 2-D, Color Theory, or 3-D design take an ArtCORE class which helps you to develop your teaching portfolio, communicate with other grads about teaching concerns/lessons.
To be fair, here's some things you should be aware of. Arizona doesn't have the greatest art scene. Scottsdale is alright and Grad students can visit the Phoenix Art Museum for free as well as Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA.) There are a few cool galleries in downtown Scottsdale. Other than that you might have to make a day trip to LA.
Here's some more detailed information about the painting program in particular. The faculty are committed to the discipline of painting in particular. Working in a cross-disciplinary approach can be a little challenging, however, with 7 full time painting faculty members there's almost definitely going to be a faculty member that you can mesh well with as it pertains to your work. Also, the entire painting faculty are AWESOME. They also emphasize craftsmanship quite a bit. They wont' let you make shoddy work that only has conceptual strengths. They will require your work to be sound conceptually as well as visually and tangibly.
Hope this info. helps prospective painting grads. Also, if you're ever interested in visiting ASU please call the art department. We'd love to open our studios to who ever is interested and show you around to see if it's a good fit for you.
PS, it's always sunny here. CHEERS!