Sonoran Biosketches – March 2026
In the desert you can remember your name. You can also be reminded of all kinds of other things.
My friend Professor Michelle Fehler (ASU) and I led a small sketching tour of the Papago Nature Trail. The first of many I hope. Thanks to AIGA Arizona for helping us host the event and thanks to all who joined us.
18 people. 18 hearts and minds. 18 ways to see.
We’d been planning this event since late last year. I scouted the location at Papago Nature Trail on 3/14 with Michele. We met a round-tailed ground squirrel looking for food. No fear of humans. I named him Barney. I never got a picture of him!!! (Too fast for me I guess)
Here’s a list of some things that happened on the day of our event (3/21).
Saw Barney again (more about him later)
Met Pete, Gretchen, Courtney, Jeremy, and so many others again for the first time
Michelle led us in a short breathing exercise to ground our senses
I recommended some quick sketching warm-up techniques
We walked along the trail, Michelle narrating while we drew what we saw
Palo verde, creosote, ironwood, hedgehog cactus, sage brush, barrel cactus – these plants greeted us and we looked at them with curiousity
I saw a tree stump and had a cosmic moment
(I did not talk to the tree stump, but I wanted to ask it a question only it could answer)
Talked with Pete about his grand-children, who also love drawing
Reconnected with my former colleague and friend Jeremy
Laughed about AI with Elizabeth from Spain
Chatted with Courtney about her experiences with drawing
Saw the blurry forms of three roadrunners running
Ate / shared some Biscoff cookies, Barney wanted cookies
Wore a visor, which I rarely do
Saw Barney run up to someone looking for food
Talked with Aaron about other places to do biosketching
Learned that it was Matt’s first time drawing with others in the desert
Decided (again) that I worry too much
Saw two people meet for the first time and become friends
Looked up at the sky and down at Hole in the Rock
Wondered about all the people who’ve hiked in this area over the decades
Drew alone for a few minutes and felt a sense of calm
Met Mac and Sam and Anais
Laughed to myself about the meaning of introvert and extrovert
Heard echoing conversations and laughter of people standing up at Hole in the Rock
Wished I could see a Gila monster in the wild, Aaron has, dang that would be magical
Took a picture with the group (18 total)
Handed out some zines I made at home for everyone
Connected with Cory and Aaron after the event for lunch
Thought about new ways to draw with others and learn from their lives
Remembered that I’m part of an ecosystem – not just a person
Thought about Barney while I was driving home (stay cool Barney!)
Small zine handout. (Draw what you see. Don’t worry about anyone else.)
The cosmic stump
Do not hug, just admire from afar
Michelle brought a survey along with everyone was willing to help us with. (Thank you!) All of the feedback was really helpful – some things to improve and some things to add in perhaps! Everyone was very positive about us doing another event like this, which I’m also excited about.
Ok, back to work I go. Lots to do and dream up and finish.
–E
