Painting the Grand Canyon

It’s hard to believe, but 15 years have passed since we last strapped on our backpacks and ventured into the Grand Canyon. If you’ve never experienced it, put it on your bucket list—it’s truly unforgettable. We’ve hiked it twice: the first time, it was just my husband and me; the second time, we were joined by my mom and stepdad. Same time of year, completely different experiences. On our second trip, we woke up on the final morning to find our tent collapsed under a blanket of snow!

Beyond hiking, the Grand Canyon has also found its way into my art. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to be an artist-in-residence not once, not twice, but three times at Willowtail Springs Nature Preserve & Education Center. Those weeks were nothing short of transformative—spending entire days painting and singing in the studio, fully immersed in creativity. Every Grand Canyon painting I created came from that second trip—the stormy skies, shifting light, and unexpected snow added so much drama to the landscape. Even in the rain, the canyon was breathtaking.

A few of these original paintings are still available, along with prints and note cards. You can explore all the options here. I’d love to hear about your own adventures—maybe I’ll even see you on the trail!

Mom, Dan, me, & Kenny at Plateau Point - overlooking the Colorado River