Artist Spotlight: David Boswell and Kay Dennis of Sonoran Laser Creation
David Boswell and Kay Dennis of Sonoran Laser Creation will be exhibiting and selling their work at The National Parks Store's Local Artist Expo on March 28 and 29, 2026. Western National Parks had the opportunity to interview these artists about their creative journeys, process, and inspiration.
David Boswell and Kay Dennis’s journey into the world of laser art is one of discovery, passion, and an ever-growing appreciation for the possibilities of their craft. While David always had an interest in creative expression, he never saw himself as an artist—until Kay helped him find his medium.
Before meeting Kay in 2012, David was deeply rooted in science and photography. His early experiences in photography occurred well before the digital age, before programs like Adobe Illustrator made artistic exploration more accessible. Though he loved capturing the world through his camera lens, he never considered himself skilled at drawing or traditional forms of art.
Falling in love with the Sonoran Desert
Kay’s path to artistry was also not straightforward. A self-described introvert as a child, she felt more comfortable around animals than people and had a strong interest in science. This led her to a career in research, but she found it lacked the connection to living organisms that she craved. After a period of soul-searching—hiking and whitewater kayaking through South America—she decided to pursue veterinary medicine.
Her studies took her to New Zealand, where she lived in a lush, green environment before moving to Tucson in the middle of summer. Initially shocked by the desert’s stark contrast, she soon developed a deep passion for its beauty, thanks in part to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. It was here in Tucson that she met David, and together, they began their journey into laser artistry.
Discovering laser art
Kay has always found joy in the natural world. “Being outside, just taking in the sun, the sky, the earth, and other living things touches my soul in a way that nothing else has ever done,” she shares. Since childhood, she has felt a deep connection to nature, believing in its profound healing impact on the human psyche. This love for the outdoors and artistic expression led her to experiment with various crafts, from yarn and clay to paper.
However, as her inspiration grew, so did challenges with arthritis, making traditional crafting methods difficult. When she discovered the potential of lasers to create beautiful and functional art, she was captivated. Technology, she realized, could offer a way to express her creativity without undue stress on her joints. Through laser art, she celebrates her adopted home, the desert, and hopes her work fosters appreciation and respect for nature in others.
Creating their first laser-cut designs
When Kay purchased a laser set, she saw not only its potential for her own projects but also an opportunity for David to explore a new creative outlet. Her instincts proved correct. As David transitioned away from photography to focus more on outdoor activities like whitewater rafting and kayaking, he found himself drawn to the laser, using his own photos as inspiration for his first laser-cut designs.
Working with Adobe Illustrator felt like a natural shift for David, as he had previously used Adobe software in his photography work. He began creating intricate laser-cut designs from scratch, reveling in the process of building something unique. While they occasionally use open-source designs as templates, they pride themselves on adapting and transforming them—layering, adding color, and infusing their personal style into each piece. However, David’s true passion lies in developing original artwork entirely from the ground up.
Refining their techniques
When they first ventured into laser work, neither David nor Kay had any idea of the vast creative possibilities that awaited them. Today, they operate three different X-tool lasers, each with specialized capabilities. Their most recent addition even allows them to emboss and engrave metal, opening new doors for innovation.
"Working with lasers is much more complicated than just pushing the button and carving a design," David shared. "Each design requires meticulous experimentation and many hours of test cutting and refinement." Avoiding charred edges or smoke residue takes patience, practice, and constant adjustments. No two pieces of wood are the same, so each cut must be precisely calibrated.
"The online laser artist communities are such inspiring places," David said. "We've learned so much about how to refine our techniques and push the boundaries of what these tools can do."
"The online laser artist communities are such inspiring places," David said. "We've learned so much about how to refine our techniques and push the boundaries of what these tools can do."
One example of the intricacy involved in their work is their Tucson design, which took David over 30 hours to develop—and he continues refining it. The iterative nature of laser art means that wasted materials are an inevitable part of the creative process. But for David and Kay, the end result is always worth it.
A connection to nature
Beyond their artwork, David and Kay share a deep connection to the landscapes that inspire them. David was born in Safford, Arizona, and spent his early years in Kino before moving to Tucson at the age of six. His love for the desert runs deep. He has hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim four times and proposed to Kay on a backpacking trip in the Canyon. He has explored Horseshoe Mesa, tackled day hikes throughout the region, and frequently enjoys the rugged beauty of Saguaro National Park—a place he has known since before it gained national park status.
Chiricahua National Monument also holds a special place in his heart, and one of his dreams is to raft the Grand Canyon. When he’s not creating, you’ll often find him outdoors on his mountain bike, soaking in the desert scenery that continually fuels his artistic inspiration.
Kay has also fallen in love with the Sonoran Desert, and together, they weave that love into their work. Their art reflects their surroundings, capturing the textures, patterns, and essence of the Southwest. Through Sonoran Laser Creation, they have built more than a business—they have crafted a bridge between creativity and nature, where the land they cherish is honored in every piece they create.
See the work of Sonoran Laser Creation in person at the Local Artist Expo at The National Parks Store.
By Nikki Stavile
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