Georgia O'Keeffe made her first extended trip to New Mexico in 1929.
She traveled west with the artist Rebecca Strand and began spending part of the summer in the region. O'Keeffe was drawn to the area's architecture, mountains, desert terrain, and unusually clear light. These subjects became a major source of imagery for the rest of her career.
Her first trip did not mean that she immediately moved there permanently. O'Keeffe continued living and working in New York for many years, returning to New Mexico during the summer. She relocated permanently only in 1949, three years after Alfred Stieglitz's death.
The distinction between 1929 and 1949 is important when describing her connection with the state. The earlier date marks the beginning of her sustained artistic relationship with New Mexico; the later date marks the beginning of permanent residence. Her western paintings helped establish the public image most strongly associated with her mature work.