2023

Arizona Sonoran Desert

Carved in premium Cherry hardwood and inlaid with semi-precious stone set in casting resin, this piece is a tribute to the truly magical Sonoran Desert.

12 different types of stone were used, carefully selected for color to capture the beauty of a Sonoran Desert sunset. The stone used in this piece is 100% natural and is absolutely beautiful.

The sun and rays are gilded with 99.9% pure 24K triple gold leaf. I applied gold leaf to some of the Carnelian and Yellow Agate, which I then lightly sprinkled into the yellow and orange portions of the sunset to add highlight.

Of course I had to add a little Sonoran Desert dust to the piece to give it soul. The turquoise used in the frame border is Campitos Turquoise that was mined in the Sonoran Desert!

The finished piece is a large 28" wide by 38" tall and weights 28.6 pounds.

Only 10 of this piece will be made, and #1 and #2 are already spoken for.

I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I enjoyed creating it! Please see below for many more details and photos.

Colorful Arizona Sunset

I am very proud to be a 4th generation native of the Arizona Sonoran Desert, dating back to well before Arizona was even a state.

My great grandmother, Nellita Hathaway, graduated and later taught at the Territorial Normal School at Tempe, which was founded in 1885 and later evolved into what is now Arizona State University.

My great grandfather, Henry Nichols, was a geologist who discovered the copper deposits in San Manuel, Arizona in 1942.

Although life has taken me to Colorado, a piece of my heart will always remain in Arizona.

Not a Pig

It's a Collared Peccary! Also known as a Javelina.

An iconic resident of the Sonoran Desert.

Saguaro Cactus

Perhaps the most iconic resident of the Sonoran Desert, the Saguaro Catus is native to the region and not found anywhere else in the world.

I used African Turquoise for the cactus in this piece, which I feel is absolutely perfect! And don't forget to notice the bird nest, common in many Saguaros.

Fun fact: did you know that 95% of Barrel Cacti lean toward due-South? If you ever find yourself lost in the Arizona Desert, pay attention to the barrel cacti, it just might save your life!