“If seeds waited for the perfect conditions to grow, there would be no plants in the desert.”
— Matshona Dhliwayo
As dawn breaks over the Chiricahua Mountains, a black bear ambles through Cave Creek Canyon, embodying the spirit of the wild. This moment, captured in Guardians of the Canyon, is my newest watercolor painting — an ode to the rugged beauty and wild spirit of Arizona’s desert canyons.
Hidden among these sunbaked cliffs are deer, bear, gray wolf… and maybe even more, if you look closely. Just like hardy desert blooms, the creatures who call these canyons home remind us that beauty, resilience, and life can flourish in the harshest places.
Imagine the soft glow of the morning sun illuminating the rugged cliffs, shadows dancing across the landscape. The bear, a curious wanderer, is just one character in this vibrant ecosystem. If you pause and look closer, you might spot a proud deer, a desert tortoise soaking peeking from a shadow, or a bobcat observing from a high cliff. Each creature adds another gem to find — a reminder that the desert is alive with hidden wonders. How many can you find?
This piece is more than just a painting — it’s a love letter to Arizona’s wild places and to the dedicated wildlife biologists of Arizona Game and Fish who commissioned the original. These unsung heroes rise before the sun, working tirelessly to study and protect the remarkable wildlife that not only survives, but thrives here.
I hope Guardians of the Canyon invites you to slow down, look closer, and find the wild secrets tucked into the world around you. For desert art collectors, nature lovers, and anyone who believes in the magic of hidden places — may this painting remind you that you, too, are resilient, persistent, and beautiful.
So next time you’re out in the desert, pause for a moment — you might just catch a glimpse of these hidden guardians. And if you feel enchanted by desert wildlife, consider adding this piece to your space to bring that beautiful resilient energy home.
The original is sold, but prints will be available starting July 24! Sign up here to be notified when they drop.
