Guardian of the Winds is not just a representation of the Joshua Tree—it is a celebration of its exuberance in bloom and its enduring strength in the desert environment. Textures, rich colors, and light of the Mojave Desert are woven into the work, along with the varied patterns of the tree itself, which grows among other resilient plants. The result is a defining place-making statement for the hospital lobby, visible from both inside and through its tall windows. A desert hare tucked into the composition catches the eyes of children visiting this healing space.

Fabricated primarily from water jet–cut and formed aluminum, the sculpture allowed the artist to both draw and sculpt simultaneously while keeping weight in mind. Brilliant transparent colors were hand-painted and rubbed into varied textures and shapes, complemented by accents of fused glass. Hand-brushed aluminum brings the artist’s hand directly into the surface. Subtle horseshoe shapes, integrated into the lower composition, recall the cavalry origins of the base.

The sculpted forms, as if lifted and shaped by desert winds, are graceful yet strong—symbolizing resilience, place, and continuity.