Tribute - Nightfall

This painting is inspired by a mix of scenes: Isaac Asimov's "Nightfall" story, the classic science fiction artwork of the book "Cycles of Fire" from the late 1980's, and my experience watching the sun set and the Milky Way fade into view at Death Valley. The stars were painted using an old toothbrush and a watery mix of paint; I held the brush close to the painting and gave the bristles a slow flick to produce the scattered light of countless stars bit by bit.

Here, in a dry region of an Earth-like world, we see the sun set and a single constellation with millions of stars fade into view. The blazing light of a huge globular star cluster dominates the night sky with its warm glow. What legends of the stars would form on a world like this?

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"

Death Valley at Night

On my trip to the West in June, the first national park we saw was Death Valley. At first, one would think there would be nothing of beauty in a barren desert, but that was not the case. Death Valley is an alien inferno for much of the year, and yet its stark landscapes, vast views, and craggy rocks provide a wonder of their own. The most astounding aspect of the park isn't seen until nightfall, however. Then, as the sun slowly sets, you stand beneath one of the darkest skies in the nation, and indeed the world. Above you, the Milky Way fades into view, clearly cut through by dark clouds and rifts, and countless stars glimmer and shine. Indeed, the stars themselves feel within reach, as if there is nothing between you and infinity. This is only a painting, and nocturnes are notoriously difficult to create and photograph - one must see the night sky as it truly is to understand.

Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"