Darcie Peet

Given abundant fall and winter rains, rolling fields approaching Madera Canyon in southwestern Arizona can be carpets of yellow-orange poppies midst contrasting, desert accents of linear ocotillo and purple, Opuntia prickly pear cactus. A desert spring is a fascinating mix of shape and color! For Sale. $1500. Available at Settlers West Gallery Miniature Show, opening Feb 11, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

At the foot of the Catalina Mountains, on the edge of Tucson, AZ, the last burst of dusk light highlights all kinds of desert shapes from cliff faces, tree branches, and pads of prickly pear cactus to the fluffy blooms of desert broom, illuminated almost like sprays of tiny, white Christmas lights. For Sale. $1500. Available at Settlers West Gallery Miniature Show, opening Feb 11, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

A big, fall moon rises slowly above this icon…. nearly 1000’ of vertical rock, Elephant Head Peak is a well-known, prominent, natural landmark in the Santa Cruz Valley south of Tucson and Green Valley, AZ. With imagination one can see the shape of an elephant head, ears and trunk descending the east ridge. “At the top, numerous elephant statues are bunched tightly together in a “rock corral.” In India and the Hindu religion, the elephant represents strong symbolism of majesty and strength, new beginnings and remover of obstacles, so fitting for the climb to the top and rewarding, majestic views from the summit. For sale. $3700. Available at K Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden, 15 Tubac Rd., Tubac, AZ 85646-4217, 520-398-9662, Toll free: 888-398-9662, www.newbygallery.com/artist/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com

On a cold, snowy, December day, along with our Navajo guide, we drove as far as possible into Canyon Del Muerto, in the Canyon De Chelly National Monument. These are the ruins that eerily looked out over the valley reminding us of the storied history of these unusual, red-rock canyons. For Sale. $7000. Available at Settlers West Gallery, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

Exploring a winding, back-country, dirt road outside of Telluride, Colorado, as the light was fading, we realized we didn’t truly know where were, and hoped our basic map would tell us how to get back to Telluride before dark. For Sale. $3900. Available at Settlers West Gallery, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com