Article and photos by Melodie Yvonne
My latest gallery in my Creative Renewal journey series takes you off the beaten path—literally—riding side by sides through the desert to get up close and personal with towering cactuses before a creepy trek into an abandoned mine outside Yuma. Venturing inside (which you definitely shouldn’t do—because, well, that’s how a billion buried alive movies start), I explored remnants of the past which help me even more appreciate my present.
This unforgettable cross-country adventure has deepened my connection to photography and visual storytelling, pushing me to capture the raw beauty of these hidden landscapes. I’m beyond grateful for this experience, made possible through the prestigious 2024-2026 Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship—an Indy Arts Council program supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Discover more about the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship and the 50 talented artists and arts administrators selected at IndyArts.org/grants/creative-renewal-arts-fellowship.
Check out more from my EPIC Cross Country Creative Renewal Road Trip HERE— and stay tuned for what’s next!
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
This EPIC Creative Renewal Fellowship cross country adventure was a glorious journey west and back thanks to the Indy Arts Council supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Photo cred Melodie Yvonne
Contact Melodie to purchase fine art prints from the above gallery at melodieyvonne@gmail.com
Check out Melodie’s Creative Renewal Fellowship Epic Cross Country Road Trip Selfie Tour Playlist below
Subscribe now to SEE even more of the Music on Melodie’s YouTube Channel
FOLLOW & stay tuned for more from my EPIC Cross Country Creative Renewal Road Trip HERE
All photographicmelodie.com/melodieyvonne.com content copyright Melodie Yvonne Ramey. All rights reserved. No usage permitted beyond nonprofit online sharing without written permission from Melodie Yvonne Ramey. No image or word altering of any kind permitted. View the full Photographic Melodie content and Print Shop usage Terms & Conditions HERE