Darcie Peet

The start of our hike to the Opabin Plateau started from these shores of turquoise and shimmering, Lake O’Hara in the Canadian Rockies. Behind the left side of the foreground bluff the trail climbed through golden Tamarack to timberline and the shores of tiny, Opabin Lake for our trail lunch at the base of the distant pastel peaks in the painting. The steep return brought us back down on the right side of the bluff with magnificent views to distant peaks and Lake O’Hara now far below. What a perfect day in the Canadian Rockies! For Sale. $3900. Available at Settlers West Gallery Summer Show opening May 3, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

Exploring west of Tucson on a late, spring day, fleeting streaks of light broke through around the various mountains and hillocks bordering Avra Valley in the Tucson Mountains, casting late-day, lavender shadows across the valley floor while illuminating tips of yellow-blooming brittle bush, palo verde and mesquite. For Sale. $3300. Available at Settlers West Gallery Summer Show opening May 3, 6420 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85718, 520-299-2607 www.settlerswest.com www.darciepeet.com

On a spur-of-the-moment, May, cycling trip to California wine country we explored the quieter Dry Creek Road of Sonoma. In the morning, sea fog from the ocean rolling in mutes the sky and background vineyards in mist and atmosphere. To attract and invite visitors in for wine tasting, many vineyard entrances and up-front vineyards are lined with roses, and in May there is color everywhere and all at peak bloom. A great time to cycle wine country and collect painting inspiration! For Sale. $4200. Available at The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com

On a spur-of-the moment cycling trip to California wine country we explored not only Sonoma, but Napa Valley. Sight-seeing and scanning both sides of the road as we road north in Napa, I happened to glance to the left and this was the setting that suddenly stopped me. Broad, puzzle-like patterns of undulating, spring-green vineyards were punctuated by this simple, bold, flag pole with the American Flag rising high and fluttering in the slight breeze. It was such a surprise centered in the swaths of vineyards, and the entry road lined with red roses to invite one in. My guess is an American Patriot owns these vineyards. For Sale. $5300. Available at The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com

Not a soul around. All is absolutely still on an early morning walk along the shores of Lake Dillon just outside Frisco, Colorado. Just above the muted, pastel peaks of the “Front Range,” the sun just begins to break through the peachy, dawn haze warming the sky, and bold wind-lines angle across the water. With barely a whisper of a breeze there is just a hint of the sun’s glowing reflection. A few shorebirds are up early looking for treats amongst the shore grasses. Tips of shoreline wildflowers… Fireweed, Asters and Daisies catch the early sun and get ready to brighten the summer day in the Colorado Rockies. For Sale. $ 5500. Available at The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com