Warmth of the Desert

One of my favorite places to visit and paint is the desert southwest, particularly around Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. I spent a week in the summer of 2019 with my tent and my easel traveling around the area, camping and painting while my husband was on a mountain bike hut-to-hut trip. It was wonderful to take some introspective time alone with the warm desert rocks.

So I was delighted when Erin and Craig, fellow residents here in Salida, asked me to create a 70″ desert painting for their great room. I have to tell you, I really love their house. They constructed it up on Methodist mountain with a tremendous picture window view of the Sawatch Range that hits you with awe from the moment you enter. Since the view is perfection already, they decided they wanted their showpiece painting to reflect their other love – the Desert Southwest.

Admittedly it’s been awhile since I’ve painted this subject so did several small scale studies to determine just the right composition and color palette that would work well in the space. My husband built a beautiful 30×70″ cradled wood panel with sides and supports. And Erin and Craig were also patient while my Snow Dance show took months of work to produce. But yesterday, the painting was placed in its new home in that beautiful great room. I’m so thankful to Erin and Craig for the project that helped expand as an artist just a bit.