Moonscape
Moonscape (2019)
24×18 Pastel on Pastel Paper
Original is Sold
For eons, its round fullness has captured the attention and imagination of men. Drawn by its allure and mystery, men reach for it, wanting to possess it and capture its beauty for their very own.
I painted this beautiful Moonscape to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the July 20, 1969 Apollo mission, celebrating the historic milestone of man conquering and planting their flag on the Moon.
Working in pastel, I wanted to merge a sci-fi lunar voyage with a classic figure study, leaning into a bit of a cheeky double meaning. The composition plays on the concept of "mooning" in more ways than one, juxtaposing the detailed, luminous surface of Earth's satellite with the smooth, muscular contours of an astronaut's completely nude backside. I focused heavily on the stark contrast between the cold, deep black of outer space, the metallic curves of the circular spacecraft portal, and the warm, radiant skin tones of the figure floating in zero gravity.
