Darcie Peet

Lifelines of the desert, a web-like pattern of desert washes flows down from the Tortolita Mountains, towards the Santa Cruz River, northwest of Tucson. Tough and hardy the desert broom is so very abundant in these desert washes providing shade and shelter for all kinds of critters and whose summer flowers attract hordes of butterflies. At the end of the day, they are the most stunning in rich, late day light, as their profuse, white, fluffy blooms look like hundreds of glowing lanterns that often find a place in one of my desert paintings. For sale. $3900. Available through Settlers West Gallery, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

Before the crushing, hot days of summer, a desert spring is a refreshing gem. Along the winding road in Saguaro National Park West, the sights, sounds and atmosphere touch all the senses from the fresh aromas in the air to the sparkle of sunlit wildflowers, and edges of hillsides and ridges. The desert floor comes alive with almost “golf-course” rich, green vegetation that is so fleeting and soon turns brown. A welcome and special time of year that just doesn’t last long enough. For sale. $2400. Settlers West Gallery, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

By late May there is still plenty of snow especially at higher elevations in the mountains. Between Copper Mountain, Colorado, and Leadville, this old mining road marks the trailhead for Mayflower Gulch. Steeped in mining history this rough, worn road slowly climbs to timberline where remnants of mining cabins and equipment dot the tundra of what is referred to as Mayflower Amphitheater, a ring of striking, jagged peaks. Here and there, snowmelt has begun leaving scattered snow piles and puddles reflecting the gleam of the late day sun which also highlights a swath of leafless willows soon to bud with the first touches of spring. This time of year, there is rarely a hiker around, thus utter stillness. For Sale. $5300. Available from David Wilkinson and ArtzLine, America’s Online Gallery, 800-958-5360, www.artzline.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com

The late-day and sundown skies during mountain monsoon time are absolutely glorious. Billowing, tumultuous clouds, full of color and light as the day dwindles, seem to climb forever and reflect swaths of color across Lake Dillon, Colorado, “twixt and ‘tween” all the islands. Like a solitary beacon, an early rising, full moon glances around the remaining clouds as the storm fades. For sale. $8900. Available at The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com

The tallest, free-falling waterfall in Colorado plummets down sheer, vertical cliffs onto hillsides of shadowed and sunstruck, golden aspen below. Already there has been a dusting of September snow to add a little “icing” on peaks and ledges while the swell of clouds above foretells of winter right around the corner. Almost peering like a spot of distant snow, the historic, hydroelectric plant perched at the edge of the rock face is dwarfed by the surrounding cliffs and evergreen slopes. For sale. $3900. The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com