The Story Behind the Painting

When I first visited Monument Valley in the late ’90s, I was completely taken by its scale. My wife and I stayed at Goulding’s Lodge—booked two years in advance at the time—and took a guided tour that brought us to John Ford Point. That moment stayed with me.

Standing there, I saw the exact spot where Hollywood helped define the American West. Back in the 1930s, Harry Goulding brought photos of this land to director John Ford, convincing him to film here. From that moment on, Monument Valley became the backdrop for many of his iconic Westerns, beginning with Stagecoach—forever shaping how the world sees the American West. Even during my visit, markers in the ground still showed where tripods had once been placed.

In this painting of Monument Valley, I included the Navajo rider and horse often seen at the overlook—an image that connects past and present. This experience left such a strong impression on me that it found its way into other works, including Goulding’s Stagecoach, Sandoval Snow, and Navajo Palapa—each carrying a piece of that same experience.

Artistic Approach and Presence

This panoramic composition of Monument Valley is designed to let the landscape breathe. The wide format allows the eye to travel—across the valley floor, through the buttes, and into the sky. Layered color, texture, and contrast reveal both the stillness and the energy of the land.

While much of my work centers on Sedona, this piece expands that story—connecting Sedona’s spiritual pull with the vast, cinematic silence of Monument Valley. Both places carry a presence that continues to shape my Vivid Mystical Landscapes style.

The Heart of It All

Art lights up the same part of your brain as

falling in love—it’s an unforgettable feeling.

 Collector’s Note

My work is also featured at the Village Gallery in Sedona—a Sedona art gallery devoted exclusively to hand-made artwork by local artists, and widely regarded as the true heart of Sedona’s local art scene. You can also find my work at Creative Gateways, a contemporary Sedona gallery that offers a welcoming mix of fine art and jewelry across a range of price points, as well as at Desert Valley Gallery in Las Vegas at Tivoli Village, where creativity, beauty, and craftsmanship come together in a unique and inspiring setting.

 Available Formats & Editions

Panoramic formats of Monument Valley are available in both framed and unframed options, designed to fit a range of spaces, from intimate settings to large feature walls. Limited Edition Hand-Embellished Giclées are also available in select sizes, created at full scale and enhanced in my studio to add depth and presence.

If you didn’t know what you were looking at, you might think it was the original. Each piece carries the same presence, depth, and glowing energy, so every edition feels alive in its own way.