Sedona News – Brooke Hirsheimer, the visionary behind Little Dude Art, has joined forces with popular Sedona hiking influencer Ashley Petefish (@Ashley.Goes.Hiking) to unveil an exclusive abstract print series inspired by Sedona’s breathtaking landscapes. This collaboration aims to encapsulate Sedona’s distinctive natural history and its allure to the hiking community through vibrant artwork.
Sedona attracts over 75 percent of its visitors for its hiking trails, boasting over 200 trails that range from serene creekside strolls to the challenging ascent of Wilson Mountain, standing at 7,122 feet. Hirsheimer’s inspiration for this project struck during a hiking and yoga retreat at Cathedral Rock. Moved by the unique ecosystem and geological tales of Sedona, she embarked on her first-ever location-based series, which will include eight original works, translating the area’s essence into her abstract style.
“I had heard about the healing and mystical properties of the Sedona landscape, but it’s something you need to experience yourself to understand,” says Hirsheimer. “Our yoga teacher explained the ancient saga of Cathedral Rock’s vortex, with humble beginnings as a coastal dune molded by the sea. I saw my abstract Sedona series forming behind my eyelids before the yoga session was even over.”
To broaden the impact of this series and celebrate Sedona’s spirit, Hirsheimer sought a collaborator deeply rooted in the local adventure scene. Enter Ashley Petefish, whose Instagram boasts over 87k followers and an additional 70k fans on TikTok. Petefish’s social media presence is dedicated to her Sedona hiking experiences, advocating for the protection of archaeological sites and promoting Leave No Trace principles.
Petefish contributed one of her favorite hiking photos, capturing a striking keyhole view overlooking Sedona’s iconic red rock formations. Hirsheimer transformed this snapshot into a lively abstract painting titled “Window to Sedona,” featuring her signature Little Dude character. This piece will be available as 100 limited edition prints and 30 hand-embellished prints on August 6 at 12 pm ET, marking Little Dude Art’s first-ever limited edition series.
“The natural landscapes in Sedona are extremely special to me – I was born and raised in the area and have been exploring and experiencing the red rocks and their beauty my entire life. That’s why it’s so important to me people appreciate and respect the landscapes here,” says Petefish. “When Brooke reached out and explained her vision I was excited to share the Keyhole scene because it encapsulates Sedona’s magic. A beautiful alcove hidden in plain site in the red rocks. A perfect shelter from the storm. The inspiration photo is actually from a snowstorm this past winter where I hiked to Keyhole and as soon as I was safely within the alcove a snow squall alert appeared on my phone. A very unique moment to be inside the alcove, as it was completely white looking out. A perfect shelter from the storm, all created by nature.”
For more information on the “Window to Sedona” limited edition print series and to purchase prints, visit Little Dude Art’s website. You can follow @LittleDudeArt and @Ashley.goes.hiking on Instagram to learn more about the original series and print-making journey.
About Little Dude Art
Brooke is a contemporary mixed media artist. In 2017, her studies led her to Switzerland where she started a career in science communications. Inspired by the power and scale of the Swiss Alps, Brooke began illustrating a tiny ink figure known as “Little Dude” to capture the feeling of being humorously small and anonymous among expansive landscapes. In 2020, she incorporated textured swipes of paint, adding dimensionality to the whimsical, abstract landscapes that Little Dude inhabits. Brooke’s work has appeared in Men’s Journal and Women’s Health Magazine. Little Dude Art has attracted over 140,000 followers on Instagram. Brooke was an exhibitor at Artexpo NYC 2024. Brooke left her career at World Wildlife Fund in 2022 to pursue life as an independent, full-time artist. She aims to continue spotlighting the inextricable relationships between a thriving natural world and the human experience through her art.
About Ashley Goes Hiking
Ashley spends her time traveling, hiking, and adventuring. She likes to call herself a “weekend warrior,” since she works as a full-time lawyer during the week. The purpose of her blog and social media accounts is to provide inspiration, tips, and adventure ideas for anyone interested in exploring the outdoors, especially those who have a passion for exploring and adventure (but also still have full-time jobs). Ashley has always believed that the outdoors and nature are our greatest resource and in nature, we can truly find peace. Ashley gives back to the local landscapes as a Board Member for Oak Creek Watershed Council and as a Site Steward with Arizona State Parks Site Steward Program. Ashley practices Leave No Trace (“LNT”) while in the outdoors, and through following her journey, she hope she can help others do the same. No matter where you are in your outdoor journey, whether you’re a newbie hiker or an experienced adventurer looking for new trail or travel ideas, Ashley hopes to provide a little help along the way.