Cactus, Wildflower and Sunsets...Oh My!

I have been visiting Arizona every spring break for over 10 years. Every year I hike and see the same scenes. Dray hazy colors made with cactus, mountains, rocks and gravel, mixed with bright bougainvillea. The green grass I'm used to from the midwest isn't there, but after 3 months of Chicago gray skies and white snow, it's a warm welcome. 

This year I saw nature differently. I walked past a dead cactus and couldn't help but notice the beauty in this beast. In each spine, the shades of green combined with glowing silver needles made this dead cactus almost lifelike. 

After bonding with this beauty, I began to notice more southwest nature I walked past for years and never appreciated. I noticed more color than I ever have, and my "design brain" started seeing the shapes. I ran home to start creating this new collection.

From these images, I created gift wrap, note cards and acrylic barware.