Clouds in the Garden

This painting captures the north side of Kissing Camels, a view that doesn't include the iconic camel formations most people recognize. Instead, I was drawn to the clouds drifting overhead and a quieter perspective of a place that has been woven through my life for decades.

Garden of the Gods has been part of my story since I was a teenager. My friends and I would drive through the park, looking for adventure, a place to hang out, and, like so many teenagers, an excuse to smoke a few cigarettes and a little weed.

I didn't have ropes or any formal climbing training at the time, but I loved scrambling up the rocks. There was one particular white sandstone formation that I would climb almost to the top. It was exhilarating and gave me my first taste of the freedom I would later find in rock climbing.

Over the years, the park has continued to surprise me. I've watched herds of bighorn sheep wander through the rocks, bringing tears to my eyes. These days I usually avoid the park because of the crowds, but every now and then I'll return on a quiet night and walk the trails by moonlight without a flashlight. It's a completely different place after dark.

Garden of the Gods holds countless memories for me of friendship, discovery, adventure, and solitude. This painting is less about a famous landmark and more about my connection to a place that has quietly shaped so many chapters of my life.