Darcie Peet

Wild iris never cease to amaze me. Also called ‘Blue Flag,” their complex, graceful and delicate form seems opposite or inverse to the concepts of toughness, hardiness, strength and durability. Yet cycling Vail Pass, I see them cheerfully enjoying the sun in alpine meadows even at 10,000 ft., a high-altitude environment of wind, harsh winters and very short summers. I stumbled upon this lower valley setting by accident and immediately stopped to take in the sweeping rows and batches of color. Edging ranchland fields just north of Silverthorne, Colorado, and at the base of the jagged Gore range still laden in late spring snow, broad, foothill, late-day shadows set-off the happy and sun-struck wild iris strewn everywhere… an upbeat sign of a bountiful wildflower season to come with all kinds of painting inspiration. For Sale. $3700. Available at Settlers West Gallery Summer Show, May 4, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

All’s quiet hiking near Wasson Peak in the mountains west of Tucson, yet one can look back and across the valley and see the puzzle-pattern shapes and colors of the city nestled at the base of the Catalina Mountains. An afternoon to escape the bustle, sounds and commotion of the workweek and immerse oneself in calm and silence midst the fresh air, aromas and colors of a desert spring. For Sale. $3700. Available at Settlers West Gallery Summer Show, May 4, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

Looking into the late-day sun across the rolling countryside on the outskirts of the Santa Rita Mountains near Madera Canyon in southern Arizona, the distant mountains almost disappear. Waves of golden grasses and spring poppies add to the luminous, sundrenched atmosphere with an occasional surprise of prickly pear cactus. Spring in the high desert is one of the most captivating times to explore For Sale. $4400. 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

Returning from a long day exploring in the Canadian Rockies, our drive home from Jasper to Moraine Lake Lodge took us along the Icefields Parkway and meandering Bow River. Almost out of daylight the landscape was transformed into many soft shades of muted purple, lavender and blue creating such a sense of utter quiet and stillness. This sense of calm was only interrupted by the remnants of sun brilliantly gleaming across the many zigzagging water channels creating linear, ribbon patterns of light across the broad river plain. For Sale. $5100. Available at ArtzLine, America’s Online Gallery, David Wilkinson, 800-958-5360, www.artzline.com/darcie-peet/ 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. $5100. Available at The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/