Desert Night Skies Collection
The Night Skies Collection is a set of five breathtaking watercolor paintings that combine the celestial wonders of outer space with the iconic resilience of desert flora, blending luminous nebulae, twin stars, ringed planets, and cactus silhouettes into a cosmic narrative.
These artworks bring vibrant, glowing hues to your space, infusing it with the serenity of desert nights and the limitless possibilities of the cosmos, offering a harmonious balance of grounding and inspiration.
Each piece invites you to reflect on themes of endurance, renewal, exploration, and potential, creating an uplifting atmosphere that inspires creativity, resilience, and wonder.
Planet Set
Expand
Humans have an innate curiosity and longing for discovery. So, it comes as no surprise that as a teen I dreamed of being among the stars.
I imagined distant worlds and unknown possibilities that ignite the spirit of adventure.
Envisioning a ringed planet set against a celestial expanse above an alien ocean, I realized that it was a harmonious duality, which both grounded me and invited me to gaze beyond.
It encouraged me to explore the mysteries both around and within.
You too can stretch beyond your current self.
Imagine and explore!
Star Nursery
Illuminate
As the birthplaces of stars, nebulae represent creation and renewal, reminding us of the beauty that emerges from change and the transformative power of life itself.
Set against a celestial tapestry, the glowing nebula and brilliant starlight symbolize hope and guidance in even the darkest times - an uplifting energy that inspires action and passion.
Just as stars are born in the clouds of the cosmos, human creativity, clarity, and renewal can emerge from chaos.
Embrace the radiant power of your potential.
Saguaro Night
Endure
Basking in the glow of the stars above, this towering cactus stretches skyward as though reaching for the stars.
It radiates a serene yet awe-inspiring connection to the vastness of the universe.
You might see yourself in this cactus, standing tall and unyielding under the weight of the sky, empowered to endure.
The tranquil night infused with the hum of nature’s quiet energy can help you recharge and refocus, fostering emotional resilience by offering a sense of peace and perspective.
Recharge from desert serenity under a cosmic canopy and foster the tenacity to endure while still seeking the light.
Prickly Stars
Flourish
These prickly pear cacti thriving under a vast, untamed night sky are a daily reminder to persevere, even when life feels overwhelming.
Because cacti thrive in some of the harshest environments, they represent our ability to endure, flourish and triumph despite challenges.
Resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about reaching for something greater.
Invite the spirit of resilience into your own life.
Twins
Ignite
As I sat back after painting this, I saw the starbursts as sparks of life, ideas, or connections that ignite and propel us forward.
The radiant lines suggest clarity breaking through darkness, epiphany, truth, or moments of profound understanding.
They suggest the boundless nature of energy, light, and human potential, a reminder that there are no limits to growth or possibility.
Recognize the infinite potential of a single moment of inspiration.
Strive to be a creator of light that transforms darkness.
Creating Desert Night Skies
During the dark times of COVID-19, I started painting my Desert Night Skies collection in my studio located in the desert southwest.
I wanted to express the awe and wonder that I experience when I look up at the stars – a wonder that has stayed with me since childhood.
It all started when I imagined lying at the foot of a majestic saguaro cactus, looking up at the night sky. And as ideas struck me, it wasn’t long before the night sky became a common element and I knew a new collection was being born.
I paint only with transparent watercolor which marries the white of the cotton paper with natural pigments and enables my unique style. The first time I painted a night sky, I was mesmerized by how the wet paint reacted as if alive as I added more paint and water. It created beautiful movement, inspiring my imagination even more.
For each painting, I added a key element - a ringed planet set over an alien ocean to encourage exploration, a luminous nebula to inspire the birth of dreams, a majestic saguaro for timeless endurance, a prickly pear for a scrappy, can-do mindset, and twin stars radiating their brilliance, to remind us of our potential.
When I completed the collection, I was pleasantly surprised, because the paintings had surpassed what I had imagined. Those who saw them appreciated the unique perspectives and the bright rich colors uncommon to
watercolor paintings.
With this collection, I want viewers to be inspired to explore beyond comfort zones, never give up on dreams, endure life's challenges, reach for something greater, and shine in the darkness.