Blog
Here I am at my easel again, wrestling with a painting that’s refusing to cooperate. My wife popped into my studio upstairs and snapped this photo, catching me mid-struggle as my thoughts churned. I couldn’t help but wonder—should I have put on some music? I usually like to listen to either Christian or Indie music. Although, I also love traditional Jazz to set a mood when I'm having wine in the evening. That's when I set my smaller paintings (that I can easily carry from my studio) on an easel downstairs and enjoy my wine while studying my painting progress. Notwithstanding, the right playlist can work magic, easing me into a flow where the brushstrokes see to just fall into place.
Painting, for me, is a constant dance of problem-solving. I’m always pushing past my own objections—adjusting the composition, tweaking values and color temperatures, experimenting until I hit that sweet spot where nothing feels off anymore. This time, it’s the foreground that’s tripping me up. It’s a sprawling expanse of water—too much water, really. I didn’t notice how overwhelming it was until I started refining it, trying to make it shimmer and move like the real thing. Now, it’s all I can see.
AI generated image of artist wrestling with his painting
Part of the issue stems from painting without a direct reference photo. I’m building this scene from scratch, straight out of my imagination. It’s liberating, but tricky—photographs rarely capture the exact vision in your head. If you’re painting wildlife, good luck getting the critters to pose in perfect light with the sun just where you want it. So, I’m adapting. I’ve decided to rein in the water’s edges in the lower third of the canvas, adding more rocks on either side to frame it. Let’s see where that takes me—I’ll keep you posted.
A Moment of Inspiration
This morning, as a repairman stood in my studio, his eyes widened at the sight of my space shuttle painting Space Shuttle Painting—a bold, orbiting vision I created decades ago, inspired by a glossy NASA photo from the late 1980s. ‘That’s incredible,’ he said, pausing to take it in. Moments like these fuel my passion for creating fine art, reminding me why I poured my childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut into this piece.
The Inspiration
Growing up, I was captivated by the idea of exploring the unknown—NASA’s missions, the sleek design of the space shuttle, and the vastness of space felt like a frontier I could only dream of reaching. When a friend handed me that glossy NASA photo of the shuttle in orbit during my time in Houston in the late 1980s, it reignited that childhood wonder. I could almost hear the hum of the engines and see the earth’s curvature below. That image became the heartbeat of my painting, a tribute to human ingenuity and my unfulfilled astronaut dreams. I’m confident this was an original NASA image, given its high-resolution detail of the shuttle in space—something only NASA could capture—but I don’t recall who gave it to me or how they obtained it.
The Creative Process
I began with a large sheet of birch plywood, 48” x 38.5”, finished on one side. After sanding it lightly and priming the surface, I sketched the shuttle’s sleek form in orbit, its white hull contrasting against the deep blues and grays of space. I used airbrushing to layer in ethereal clouds and the earth’s atmosphere, blending soft gradients to mimic the NASA photo’s clarity. For the shuttle’s intricate details—its heat shield tiles, windows, and thrusters—I switched to hand-painting, applying acrylics with precision to capture every curve and shadow. The process took weeks, but the result felt like a portal to the cosmos.
A Piece for Sale
I’ve always envisioned this painting commanding attention in a high-end setting—perhaps mounted on the wall behind a banker’s desk in a corporate suite or gracing the lobby of a luxury hotel, where its bold space shuttle imagery could inspire awe and conversation. Measuring 48” x 38.5”, it’s a statement piece perfect for large walls in office spaces, restaurants, or private collections. Though I’ve held onto it for years, I’m now considering selling it to make room for my newer works. If you’re interested, I’m open to offers starting at $2,500—contact me through my website to discuss or see more of my portfolio.
Copyright Note: This painting was inspired by a NASA space shuttle photo I received in the late 1980s, which I believe to be an original, non-copyrighted NASA image, as most NASA imagery is not copyrighted for non-commercial or editorial use in the United States (per NASA’s guidelines). I’ve transformed the photo into an original artwork using my own techniques and medium, ensuring it’s a unique piece. However, if there are any concerns about the photo’s origin or copyright, please contact me for clarification. I’ve made every effort to comply with copyright laws and respect intellectual property.
Explore More
If this painting resonates with you or you’re curious about my other space-inspired works, visit my website Portfolio of Works to explore my portfolio or subscribe to my blog for more stories behind the art. Let’s connect—I’d love to hear your thoughts or discuss potential commissions!
Note: See the featured painting in our gallery Portfolio of Works or contact us for high-resolution images.
