Dust to Apples: Reflecting on Two Years of Color and Connection

It’s hard to believe my time at the farms is coming to an end. For the past two years, I’ve wandered the wide, beautiful land east of Denver—meeting alpacas, cows, and even a few curious donkeys. I’ve watched the rhythms of nature unfold, from the shimmer of summer fields to dark storm clouds sweeping in from the west. The view of the Rocky Mountains has been a constant companion, sometimes veiled in rain, sometimes framed by soft, billowing clouds.

Through these seasons, I’ve learned what grows in Colorado and what colors the land gives back. Each plant, seed, and root tells its own story—of resilience, adaptation, and beauty.

Now, back in my studio, I’m translating those experiences into art. While creating was always the goal, this journey has become much more. It’s been about reconnecting to the land, tracing threads of history—both personal and collective—and deepening my care for the world around me.

The result of this work will come together in an exhibition titled Dust to Apples: Colors of the Eastern Plains, opening soon at the Adams County Government Center, with installations in both the Taza Coffee House and the lobby.

The show will feature a series of encaustic and ink paintings, a large sculptural piece, and two display cases filled with materials, artifacts, and pigments that tell the story behind the work. I’m also honored to include the stunning photography of Jimena Peck, whose images capture the soul of the land and the people who care for it.
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This exhibition is both a culmination and a beginning—a reflection on how the land shapes us and how, in return, we leave our mark.