Joshua Tree National Park is a surreal landscape in Southern California, near Palm Springs. Unusual rock formations give the desert an unearthly feel, and the clear night sky shines with stars, so that at night you can pretend you’re exploring an alien planet.

The subtle beauty of the desert is most pronounced at sunset, when pinks and purples in the sky contrast with the suddenly vibrant plants and orange-ish rocks.

I knew immediately that I needed to make a painting of this special place – I can’t wait to go back!

First, I draw and refine the outlines on tracing paper.

Next, I transfer the outlines onto canvas and color them in.

I let the florescent pink undercoat show through, giving the painting more energy and highlighting the brushstrokes.

The final acrylic painting, which gets framed:

You can see my Joshua Tree painting at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar’s May Market, thru the end of the month.

Open May 1 – May 31, 2026 (Fridays – Sundays only, plus Memorial Day), 10am – 8pm, at 6100 Airport Blvd. Learn more on their website.

And if you don’t live in the Austin area, I hope to have art prints available soon. Please leave me a comment or send an email to hello@carajackson.com if you’d like a print or for information about the painting.

Thank you for following my journey!