In 2025 Lisette Schumacher visited Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs, where she experienced the atmosphere of desert life. The San Jacinto Mountains, with their snow-capped peaks, formed a striking visual and sensory contrast with the warm spring temperatures, flowering plants and bright sunlight of the Coachella Valley. While the valley floor - including Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Indio - is known for its hot, arid desert climate and rarely sees snow, the surrounding mountains often remain capped with snow throughout winter and spring.
The desert landscape is defined by constantly shifting light, wind and colour. While driving through the Coachella Valley to visit historic homes, Schumacher became increasingly aware of the subtle yet remarkable changes in colour that occur throughout the day. The intense sunlight, strong desert winds and vast open landscape heightened her sensitivity to how fleeting and dynamic light can be.