After spending 30 years away from the desert, I have returned to my roots. I've been a nurse in Ashland, Oregon for most of my adult life, but have always felt my home was in Southern Arizona. In the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains, near Mexico, I live on a ranch called Rancho Milagro where the deer and the antelope play. Capturing the purple shadows and changing skies of the desert becomes a kind of watercolor zen. Less is more. Don't overwork it. Just get in and get out. Quit thinking about it so much. Easier said than done, but always gratifying and always a surprise.

Lately I've become friends with the local cows. They roam freely throughout the range and have huge horns. I will do a series of cow paintings (if they hold still). I also am on a quest to paint all of the Missions built by Father Kino in the 1600s. There are several Missions within 50 miles of the ranch.

Thanks for visiting this website. I will be adding paintings to the mix as they are finished so stay tuned.

--Peggy Bowden