Category: Travel

New Pastel: Cherish - Elk & calf

2/10/2021

Last summer, before we came to Corning, Neil and I camped around western Iowa – I know, maybe a bad idea during a pandemic, but we were safe and stuck to only our camper to avoid any contact. One of the places we camped was Botna Bend Park in Hancock, Iowa.

Located right next to a grain silo, Botna Bend Park is a little spot of inspiration in an otherwise non-descript ordinary rural town. Not only is the campsite right next to the West Branch East Nishnabotna River (which apparently flooded extensively in 2019) but it is home to a herd of Bison and a herd of Elk. One of the highlights of our visit there was when we first arrived, we witnessed the first few days of an elk calf’s life. Though very late in the breeding season, we watched how the newborn calf stayed isolated from the rest of the herd during the day and then watched it start to assimilate with the group when it was ready – which occurs around 10 – 14 days.

Typically, in the wild, elks give birth in the spring, but I imagine with the elk enclosed and fed well, their natural mating and birthing cycle is skewed – which could explain why we were lucky to see their interaction so late in the summer.

Each morning and evening, we would go out and watch the calf and mother interact. And of course, that is where the moment that inspired this pastel came from. Though I could have been anthropomorphizing the mother elk a bit, I could see how she cared for and cherished her newborn. It was an extraordinary moment to be a part of in an otherwise ordinary little town in Iowa. Though everything is extraordinary if you really stop and observe.

Cherish, 15x17, Pastel

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Joshua Tree National Park

1/17/2018

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When the day is free, and the winter chill is no where to be seen, the best place to be is somewhere in nature.

January 15th 2018 was a free national park day, and for nature enthusiasts like ourselves, Neil and I felt like it was the perfect day to explore Joshua Tree National Park. I had never been, and wasn't even sure what a Joshua Tree was, but I've heard great things about the open space and colors. So we needed to see for ourselves...

For the most part, it looked like this.... (look at that blue sky!)

But there were tons and tons of rocks to climb...

To get great views like this....

And there were so many Joshua Trees...

This is a Joshua Tree

Joshua Trees are actually not trees, they are a type of Yucca, and a part of the agave plant family. They are the largest Yuccas, reaching a height of 15 to 40 feet. That's just tall...

Super tall...

While we were there to see the Joshua trees... we got a little distracted...

...a raven!

by Ravens flying to Joshua tree tops...

You can encounter a raven every day, and it's still a magical experience.

Though it wasn't just Ravens that caught our attention... Jackrabbits were around too!

And we also got up close and personal with a Cactus wren...

Or maybe two...

While we were more interested in the birds and wildlife - the landscape is something not to overlook...

It's the perfect playground...

or it might be the perfect place to do your next men's clothing photo shoot

Joshua Tree National Park is split into two sides, a north and a south. We primarily stayed on the north side where the Joshua Trees were. But the south side is still quite beautiful, littered with Cholla Cacti.

We spent the entire time playing rather than doing any plein-air drawing or sketching. But I did manage to create an oil pastel sketch of Joshua Tree National Park, for my daily drawing.

Joshua Tree National Park is located right outside Palm Springs, California. It is where two deserts merge together, the Mohave and the Colorado. It is open all year, and the visitor center has some great information about where to hike, camp or drive. It is definitely worth a trip if you are in the neighborhood.

Photos were taken by Neil Rizos and myself.

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Munich moment.

7/9/2016

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A week in Munich, Germany is not enough. If you want to see all the attractions and WWII history, don't discover the English Garden. This traveling artist found herself inspired by the little oasis of nature and dozens of geese for a few days before taking a train to Salzburg, and missing out on all of Munich has to offer. Although, we did get to see a couple art museums and met some new friends.

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Cathedral Rock, Sedona

3/30/2016

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I live here..

Well, I live in a place that beautiful red rock landscapes exist down the street from me.
It's called Sedona, Arizona.
Thousands of tourists flock here to hike, explore, and stand in awe of these amazing red rock formations.

Cathedral Rock, Sedona Arizona

Who can blame them really? It's quite a spectacular sight when you first stumble upon them.
Sedona is also known for it's spiritual community, and the famous vortexes. Vortexes are places where the Earth is exceptionally alive with energy and people can feel it when they stand there or something like that. I'm not really sure, but thousands of people come to Sedona seeking out these vortexes in order to discover something about themselves. Recently, a friend of mine came to visit Sedona for the day, and went with a guide to one of these vortexes that is apparently located at Cathedral Rock. She shared how wonderful the experience was at dinner afterwards, and it got me curious. I had been to Cathedral Rock before, but it had been years. So with nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon, I took a hike to Cathedral rock in search for this vortex.

I'm not sure if I found the exact location of this Vortex in question,
but I did find beauty...

And some interesting trees...

Even if I probably wasn't in the right vortex spot and definitely didn't know exactly what one does at a vortex... I did find it beautiful and moving for me. One doesn't need to believe or understand Sedona magic to recognize an inspiring landscape that moves you to create... even if it just asks to become a magnet.

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Wildlife of Arizona - or really the southwest

3/1/2016

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I've traveled to some beautiful places over the last couple of years...

And along the way... I've met some interesting characters...

These encounters - maybe random, maybe intentional - have been unique, special and inspiring. To have the chance to really meet the personality that lives inside a Big Horn sheep that grazes inches away from you. To accidentally trip over a tortoise (hey it happens)... or to feed an ostrich and pet a Harris Hawk... all of them remind you that the spirit of life is beyond our little reality we define as society, culture, or humanity. We share this planet with incredible creatures, all great and small, and we forget that. Sure we remember the dogs and cats we feed, but when was the last time we shared space with the wild without fear? Fear - from them, or fear from us.
That's the source of thought and inspiration behind a new collection of pastel drawings I'm exhibiting at the Verde Brewing Company this spring. The exhibit opens March 3rd for their first Art & Beer dinner.

Here are some of the drawings...

African Black Eagle

Cottontail Rabbit

Harris Hawk

Bobcat

River Otters

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Lake Powell's bathtub ring

5/20/2015

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Earlier this month, I found myself standing here...

....Right on the edge of Lake Powell, near Page, Arizona.

Lake Powell is a reservoir created by the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. This impressive man made body of water is surrounded by the desert of Arizona towards the east, and the vermilion cliffs of Utah to the west. Currently it is the largest reservoir in the United States, due to the drought that has become the new reality in the southwest. In many ways, the beauty of this magnificent blue can override any politically driven conversation about humans over using natural resources, climate change, or diverting water for greener lawns, etc... but as beautiful as the picture may be, the evidence of drought sinks deep. The "bathtub ring," as it is dubbed across the internet, has become the new border of blue, and a new visitor like myself, wouldn't have noticed it as anything but natural.

The drought crosses the orchards of California to the Colorado Plateau -- and beyond.
It is not just a southwest conversation, but a global concern.

A concern that I feel compelled to address in my art.

I create art about it not to complain, identify the cause, or blame a political party, instead I address the issue with the hope that maybe my art, my work, will help stir a conversation...

a conversation that will start something beyond words,
and into action.

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Stephanie Peters

-Stories from the road-

New Pastel: Cherish - Elk & calf

Joshua Tree National Park

When the day is free, and the winter chill is no where to be seen, the best place to be is somewhere in nature.

Munich moment.

Cathedral Rock, Sedona

I live here..

I'm not sure if I found the exact location of this Vortex in question,
but I did find beauty...

And some interesting trees...

Wildlife of Arizona - or really the southwest

I've traveled to some beautiful places over the last couple of years...

And along the way... I've met some interesting characters...

Here are some of the drawings...

Lake Powell's bathtub ring

Earlier this month, I found myself standing here...

....Right on the edge of Lake Powell, near Page, Arizona.

The drought crosses the orchards of California to the Colorado Plateau -- and beyond.
It is not just a southwest conversation, but a global concern.

A concern that I feel compelled to address in my art.

a conversation that will start something beyond words,
and into action.

Join my newsletter for the latest news

Archives

See what I'm saying on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram:

Categories

Stephanie Peters

-Stories from the road-

New Pastel: Cherish - Elk & calf

Joshua Tree National Park

When the day is free, and the winter chill is no where to be seen, the best place to be is somewhere in nature.

Munich moment.

Cathedral Rock, Sedona

I live here..

I'm not sure if I found the exact location of this Vortex in question,but I did find beauty...

And some interesting trees...

Wildlife of Arizona - or really the southwest

I've traveled to some beautiful places over the last couple of years...

And along the way... I've met some interesting characters...

Here are some of the drawings... ​

Lake Powell's bathtub ring

Earlier this month, I found myself standing here...

....Right on the edge of Lake Powell, near Page, Arizona.

The drought crosses the orchards of California to the Colorado Plateau -- and beyond. It is not just a southwest conversation, but a global concern.

A concern that I feel compelled to address in my art.

a conversation that will start something beyond words,and into action.

Join my newsletter for the latest news

Archives

See what I'm saying on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram:

Categories

I'm not sure if I found the exact location of this Vortex in question,
but I did find beauty...

Here are some of the drawings...

The drought crosses the orchards of California to the Colorado Plateau -- and beyond.
It is not just a southwest conversation, but a global concern.

a conversation that will start something beyond words,
and into action.