The high desert near Joshua Tree, California has been a vast source of inspiration for Karine.  This desert differs from other deserts the artist has known.  It is much more dry and sparse. "Hardcore Desert" is what one colleague described it as.   Hot and windy in the summer, cold and windy in the summer,  the plants and animals that make their home here have enchanted the artist with their amazing tenacity.  How does anything live in such a climate?  The creatures that do wander closely to the house become subjects for Karine's sketchbook.  After filling up several sketchbooks with tiny drawings, the artist finally decided to create some monotypes depicting the creatures of this desert landscape.  Most of these were created in the spring and summer of 2009, although earlier versions were created in 2008.   

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©All artwork copyright Karine Swenson 2009.  All rights reserved.