INTO THE COSMOS
Transported through the universe, I transcend the boundaries of space and time, witnessing firsthand, the unimaginable beauty of our Universe. With an unwavering desire to witness the cosmos with my own eyes, my imagination propels me on a journey where I can experience the captivating beauty of nebulae and galaxies. In this artistic odyssey, I aim to share the profound awe inspired by the heavens above, inviting others to join me in the exploration of our vast and mesmerizing Universe.
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From the remains of exploding stars, stardust, has evolved so perfectly that it can paint a picture of itself. That is a miracle!
The Works
Mars' Olympus Mons, Oil on Canvas, 48x24 in
Olympus Mons, the crown jewel of Mars, reigns as the tallest volcano in the solar system and one of its most remarkable geological features. Towering over the Martian landscape at a staggering height of about 13.6 miles (22 kilometers) and spanning approximately 370 miles (600 kilometers) in diameter, Olympus Mons is a testament to the planet's tumultuous volcanic past. Formed by countless eruptions over billions of years, this colossal shield volcano dwarfs its Earthly counterparts. Its gently sloping flanks and expansive summit caldera evoke an otherworldly grandeur, sculpted by the relentless forces of Martian geology. Despite its dormant state, Olympus Mons stands as a silent sentinel, offering a glimpse into the fiery origins and dynamic history of the Red Planet.
This piece was created using photographic inspiration from ESA/Hubble.
Andromeda Galaxy, Oil on Canvas, 48x36 in
The Andromeda Galaxy, also called Messier 31 or M31, with two satellite galaxies, M32 and M110, is the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way sitting approximately 2.5 million light years away from Earth. This bahemeth is home to some one trillion stars rotating around a giant black hole at the center of the galaxy, far more than the estimated 100 billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies are ever so slowly, in galactic terms, moving towards one another at 68 miles per second and are expected to collide in around 4–5 billion years, merging to potentially form a giant elliptical galaxy. Fascinatingly, Andromeda is visible to the naked eye from Earth, sitting close to the constellation Cassiopeia.
Painting this giant was a massive undertaking. Though I could not paint all one trillion stars, this prized piece is home to more than 75,000 individually painted stars using photographic inspiration from ESA/Hubble. The authenticity of the placement of each star is one aspect of the painting which makes it so unique.
Pillars of Creation, Oil on Canvas, 30x40 in
The Pillars of Creation are a remarkable formation of cosmic dust and gas located within the Eagle Nebula, approximately 6,500 to 7,000 light-years away from Earth. These iconic pillars, immortalized in a famous Hubble Space Telescope image, are colossal columns of interstellar material where new stars are believed to be in the process of forming. The pillars, shrouded in the vivid hues of the surrounding nebula, stand as a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty and creative forces at play in our vast universe. The Pillars of Creation have become a symbol of the ongoing cosmic dance of birth and destruction, capturing the imagination of astronomers, scientists, and enthusiasts alike, as they peer into the depths of the cosmos.
The formation was painted in oils using photographic inspiration from ESA/Hubble. Each star was meticulously placed in its precise location beside this cosmic masterpiece.
Helix Nebula, Oil on Canvas, 36x36 in
Here sits the Helix nebula at approximately 655 light years from Earth. Formed by a dying star shedding its outer layers, this planetary nebula is estimated to have formed 10,600 years ago and continues to expand at a rate of 31 km/second. Inside the nebula lies hundreds of knots—comet-shaped molecular gas clouds, each measuring approximately the size of our solar system.
The nebula was painted in oils using photographic inspiration from ESA/Hubble. Each star was meticulously placed in its precise location beside this exploding star.
The Horsehead Nebula, Oil on Canvas, 18x24 in
Welcome to the horsehead nebula. Sitting 1375 light years from Earth in the constellation Orion, this nebula is one of the most recognized regions in space. Sitting alongside the flame nebula, the horsehead's vibrant magenta and red gas and dust clouds that make up this beautiful sight, originate from ionized hydrogen gas that sits behind the nebula.
The formation was painted in oils using photographic inspiration from ESA/Hubble. Each star was meticulously placed in its location within these giant gas clouds.