Have you ever tried something new, unsure of how it might go, and walked away feeling deeply grateful that you did? That was me in April, standing in the Fine Arts Gallery at the 2025 Pima County Fair—heart racing, eyes wide. I was seeing my work on display for the first time ever at a county fair.

I had never submitted anything to the Pima County Fair before. Truthfully, I was a little nervous. Would my images fit in? Would they resonate? Would anyone stop and look? But I reminded myself this journey isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up and sharing what moves you. Then, you let the world respond however it will.

So I chose ten pieces—each one telling a story I hold close. Every image was captured during a moment that made me stop, breathe, and see the world a little more clearly.

Silent Glide (2nd Place – Sold) – A great horned owl in full flight, wings wide and steady, caught in that perfect moment of stillness and motion.

Feathers of Fire (Award of Merit – Sold) – A crested caracara sweeping past saguaro spines, wings lit like flames in the golden desert light.

Snow-Crowned Cactus (3rd Place-Sold) – A rare and fleeting snowstorm draped this Tucson saguaro in winter white, casting the desert in an unfamiliar hush.

Rim of Tranquility – Sunrise at the Grand Canyon, framed by trees and silence. A view that always reminds me how small and lucky we are.

Big Daddy – A buffalo silhouette against a fiery Badlands sky. Strong, stoic, timeless.

Desert Wonderland (Sold)– A splash of spring in Sabino Canyon, where wildflowers bloom beneath a sunset-painted sky.

Sensational Sonoran Sunset (Sold)– One of those Sonoran evenings where the sky looks like it was brushed with lavender and gold.

Thundering Hooves – A bison in Antelope Island State Park, heavy with power, caught in a single step of thunder.

Picacho’s Palette – Wild poppies rolling across the desert floor, backed by the rugged beauty of Picacho Peak.

A Mother’s Love – A tender moment between a mama bison and her calf—so soft and instinctual it almost hurt to look away.

These weren’t just photos—they were memories, moods, and places that have stayed with me. And sharing them all together for the very first time? That felt like a gift in itself.

To my absolute delight, three of my entries were recognized by the judges—I brought home 2nd place, 3rd place, and an Award of Merit. But the way I found out made it all the more special. 

Several days after the judging had wrapped up and the fair had officially opened, Brett and I made our way to the Fine Arts Gallery. We weren’t in a hurry—we just wanted to take it all in, admire the incredible local talent, and quietly see how my images had been displayed. I had no idea what to expect.

As we wandered through the room, admiring everything from paintings to ceramics, we made our way toward the back corner where my pieces were hung. That’s when Brett stopped and pointed. There it was—Feathers of Fire, proudly displaying a light blue ribbon: Award of Merit. But that wasn’t all. A bold red “SOLD” stamp was printed right on the entry tag. My heart just about burst.

We walked around the corner and found the other two images—hanging vertically on the same panel. Snow-Crowned Cactus held a white ribbon—3rd place—and just above it, Silent Glide, my owl in flight, was marked with a brilliant red ribbon for 2nd place, and also a red “SOLD” stamp printed on the entry tag.

I stood there, blinking back tears. It was one thing to submit. Another to be seen. But this? This was a moment I’ll carry with me for a long time. Each ribbon felt like an affirmation not of perfection—but of presence. Of showing up. Of honoring the quiet, wild beauty I’ve been chasing through my lens for years.

Seeing those ribbons hanging beside my work—red, white, and blue against wire gallery walls—was a moment I’ll never forget. It was more than just recognition. It was affirmation. That what I see through my lens matters. That these glimpses of nature’s beauty and drama have the power to connect.

The gallery sat inside the Old Pueblo Conference and Event Center at the Pima County Fairgrounds. It was a treasure—full of paintings, photography, sculpture, and handmade craft. It felt like stepping into a living, breathing celebration of Southern Arizona’s creative soul.

The fair wrapped up on April 27th, but the impact of that experience is still with me. The joy of sharing. The pride in simply showing up. The quiet thrill that comes from trying something new and letting it unfold.

And then came something I never expected: five of my ten images sold during the show.

One woman in particular stood out to me. She was visiting Tucson, taking in the fair for the first time while on vacation. She wanted to take a piece of the desert home with her—a reminder of the colors, the textures, the calm she felt here. She chose one of my images to do just that. That reminded me why I do this. Not just to create, but to connect. To offer something lasting, something meaningful.

It turns out my first year submitting to the Pima County Fair became a chapter I’ll always treasure. And I’m already looking forward to next time.

To everyone who visited the gallery, paused at my work, or offered kind words—thank you from the bottom of my heart. This was my first year submitting to the fair… but it definitely won’t be my last.

View the image award here.

View the image award here.

View the image award here.

View the image award here.