My first trip to Death Valley was to participate in a vision quest. This spiritual journey led me deep into the desert, alone, sleeping and living amongst the swaying ocotillos, jagged rocks and raging winds. As I traveled deeper into this quest, I spent long days walking with my thoughts and noticing the changes that wind and water have on a landscape. Water eroding the clay. Wind shifting the plants and relocating the sand. This experience more than any other made me appreciate the importance of being slow. Only when you’re slow do you fully get to see the rich gifts in front of you.

20 “x 16” Clay plaster, earth pigments on clay board