Georgia O'Keeffe began spending summers at Ghost Ranch in 1934.
Ghost Ranch is a dramatic area near Abiquiú in northern New Mexico, known for colorful cliffs, wide skies, and distinctive geological formations. O'Keeffe first visited the region in 1929 and returned repeatedly, but 1934 marks the beginning of her regular summer stays at Ghost Ranch.
The landscape became a major source of imagery. She painted cliffs, hills, trees, ranch buildings, and the surrounding desert with simplified forms and strong areas of color. The setting helped deepen the connection between O'Keeffe's work and the American Southwest.
Ghost Ranch and Abiquiú are related but distinct places. O'Keeffe later maintained a home in Abiquiú, while Ghost Ranch was the separate summer location where she found many subjects. Her well-known phrase about a particular mountain refers to Pedernal, visible from the area.