Arizona Desert

In 2021, the Marine Corps stationed my husband and I in Yuma, Arizona. We had heard complaints about the heat, the border politics, and the lack of entertainment (as I would consider it to be a small town). Having lived here for two years now, I’m disappointed - that we’re leaving an entire year earlier than expected, because I love Yuma.

I’ll cherish every friend and every memory I’ve made during our time here. This place has an effortless cultural beauty unmarred by its transient demographic influx of snowbirds, military personnel, migrants, and agriculturally driven commercial truck drivers. From the encompassing Hollywood-esque Date Palm groves to the life-giving current of the Colorado River to the unmatched decadence of every sunset, I’m so thankful to have experienced all of it.

I’ve found myself exploring the ‘desert’ in every aspect of the word, and becoming closer to myself with every demonstration of life in this otherwise arid landscape. What is, at first glance, an empty vista devoid of the lushness thought of as “wilderness” is actually a comprehensive ecosystem performing at the highest capacity possible in the natural world. The fine dance between Life and Death are on display at every moment - where a desperate bird battered by a relentless climate exhales in finality, delicate wildflowers begin to flourish in the exact conditions of which killed the bird. Life is everywhere and it’s inspiring to look at.

Each piece describes a moment in the Yuma area during a different time of day, collectively creating one full day. Each frame was purchased from the various secondhand shops in town and refurbished with a textured paint color chosen specifically for each individual piece. Handcrafted decorative matting and exposed edge mounting to honor the energy of the paint clumping off the panel fringes. External frame measurements vary per painting, however, internal openings are all 11” x 14” (with the exception of Moonrise which measures 10” x 13”). Panels are either 9” x 4” or 6” x 4”. Despite variability in panel sizes, every piece is $150

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