Heading South Towards Julian, California

This 6 x 8 inch watercolor depicts terrain that is a rugged mix of sandy washes, rocky slopes, and narrow canyons, with ocotillo plants—tall, spiny shrubs with vibrant red blooms in spring—dotting the arid expanse. These plants, adapted to the desert’s harsh conditions, stand out with their slender, thorny stems, often green after rain but grayish-brown when dormant, creating a striking silhouette against the beige and gray rock formations.