Sculpted by Water

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION

Location: Canyon Lake (Tonto National Forest)

The study for this painting was my first time painting the Sonoran Desert, March of 2024. As I got into painting the study (not this studio version), I quickly realized I was painting a famous spot that many of my favorite painters have painted before, and I didn’t even realize this when I set up – it’s such a cool feeling when that happens!

In this studio version I set out to capture the unique form of the cliffs and topography – how over the years they seemed to give way and fall into the water (or canyon) below, leaving behind a sheer face that reflects a variety of color from the surrounding landscape. I really fell in love with this lake, and I will be back again and again to catch it from every angle!