O'Keeffe was deeply inspired by the unique and vivid colors of the Ghost Ranch landscape, which she incorporated into her paintings. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the surrounding cliffs and mesas, the deep blues of the sky, and the muted greens and browns of the vegetation all found their way into her work.
O'Keeffe's paintings of flowers, which she often painted close-up to reveal their intricate details, were also inspired by her time at Ghost Ranch. She wrote that she was drawn to the delicate beauty of the wildflowers that bloomed in the area, such as the yucca and the desert marigold.
The rugged, isolated landscape of Ghost Ranch also played a significant role in O'Keeffe's artistic vision. She often depicted the mesas and cliffs as solitary forms, imbuing them with a sense of quiet strength and resilience. Her paintings of the area's rock formations, such as "Black Mesa Landscape" and "Red and Yellow Cliffs," capture the dramatic interplay of light and shadow that characterizes the landscape.
Overall, O'Keeffe's relationship with Ghost Ranch was a profound and enduring one, shaping her artistic vision and influencing some of her most iconic works. Her paintings of the area remain an enduring testament to the beauty and power of the New Mexico landscape.