Darcie Peet

Leaving several days of exploring Yellowstone National Park, on a colorful, autumn day, we headed north from Gardiner along the Yellowstone River into Paradise Valley and eventually on to Bozeman. This particular location must have been a major flyway, as the deep, azure blue sky was criss-crossed by current and fading jet trails, making for all kinds of lines, irregular patterns and distinct or fading shapes and swaths across the sky. Though the river, meadows and shoreline were full of rich, bold fall color, the sky was what took one’s breath away. For sale. $3200. Available at A. Banks Gallery, 25 S. Tracy, Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-577-8440 https://www.abanksgallery.com/artist/darcie-peet www.darciepeet.com

There’s nothing quite like Monument Valley in the winter. What a unique and spiritual experience we had with a private Navajo guide telling us all sorts of stories, traditions and legends as he patiently drove us through the valley. The valley is eerily quiet at dawn as the snow absorbs what little sound might be around. Azure blue and lavender shadows contrast against the red rock, winter shrubs and the emerging, dazzling light of dawn creeping in… a visual potpourri while the air couldn’t be more crisp and frosty. A seemingly alien place where all one’s senses are alive! The painting depicts the Yei Bi Chei monuments, or “Navajo spiritual gods” and viewed as a formation of dancers emerging from a hogan. There is a Yei Bi Chei dance that is performed for healing purposes in a 9-day ritual called the Night Way Ceremony. This was an unforgettable mood that had to be captured on canvas! For Sale. $6200. Available from Settlers West Gallery, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

Spring exploring took me along the rambling dirt roads at the base of the Catalina Mountains outside of Tucson, not too far from the small town of Catalina. This hillside caught me eye, dotted with a few saguaro; an old fenceline and a spill of color from all the “early bloomers”….. Orange Globe Mallow shrubs and golden poppies amongst the striking contrast of the spikey balls of deep, indigo thistles. For sale. $2900. 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 Mummy Cave ruins eerily looked out over the valley reminding us of the storied history of these unusual, red-rock canyons and whispering like “Ghosts in the Shadows.” For Sale. $7000. Available from David Wilkinson and ArtzLine, America’s Online Gallery, 800-958-5360, www.artzline.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com

Early dawn shadows are already getting longer as fall is right around the corner. The mountains right outside Rocky Mountain National Park edging McGregor Ranch still hover in shadow as the first rays of sun bedazzle this ranch meadow swept with daisies and a solitary lost, magenta thistle. For sale. $3300. Available at The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com