“Midnight Sky”

I was inspired to paint this scene after a road trip I went on in the summer of 2020. One of our first stops was Moab, Utah to visit Arches National Park. We camped along the Colorado River for three nights. At the time, I had just ended a 3-year relationship. I didn't have anything with me other than my duffle bag, a pillow, and a blanket. I slept out in the sand under more stars than I had ever seen before in my life. I’ve always felt connected to the stars and the midnight sky, especially when surrounded by nothing but pure untouched nature for miles in either direction. There's a sense of calm out in the wilderness, a sense of presence. I'll never forget falling asleep to the sound of the Colorado river crashing against the rocks on the shore and waking up to the sun peaking over the tip of the canyon. During those four days in Moab, I felt more connected to Mother Nature than I ever had before and for the first time in three years, I felt inspired to paint again. I wanted to capture the feeling I felt on canvas. It's hard to explain how I felt during this time in my life, but for once everything made sense. I didn’t have all the answers to all my problems, but I felt at peace. Laying under the stars helped me see the bigger picture, all of my problems didn’t seem to matter because I knew at that moment looking up at the stars that the universe would take care of me just as it always had. Now, whenever I feel lost I think of this painting, the scenes from my campsite, and remember that I’m taken care of and that all will be as it should.

Song: “Castles Made of Sand” by Jimi Hendrix