! Editor’s Note
Welcome Summer!
The Desert Light
The Magazine of
Mojave National Preserve Artist Foundation
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Tom Lowe
ART DIRECTOR: Melody Duque
ON LINE: Elisabeth Hewlett
PHOTO EDITOR: Joe Raggin
MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE ARTIST FOUNDATION
310 W. 5th St., 2nd Floor, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Photo: Essence of the Dunes - Amir Moshfegh
Here at the Desert Light Gallery in Kelso Station, the low desert wind
drifts across the road with the subtle ease of dawn and the Joshua Trees,
Yucca plants, and Cholla cactus that surround the center soak in the
intense and purifying heat. In the higher elevations Pinyon pines, white
fir, and juniper enjoy the cool evenings and crystal clear skies. The lonely
howl of a coyote reverberates in the halls of the train station as a hawk
slides across the sky on the warm currents aloft.
On display, this season is the work of Amir Moshfegh in an exhibition
called “Essence of the Dunes.” A unique photo study of, you guessed
it, Kelso Dunes. The images capture the imagination and provide a
perspective in a way that a lot of visitors will find intriguing. Aqua blue
skies clash with the intense contrast on the golden sand. The crest of the
dunes meanders through several frames like a serpent lost in a dream.
Slithering its way across the landscape and disappearing on the horizon.
Capped with a handful of black and white images that leave the viewer
with a feeling that this artist has a full breadth of talent the show promises
to captivate your attention and desire for a personal visit to the dunes.
Terry Ellis also revisits her exhibit “Belly Flowers” in the Artist’s Corner.
Ellis is no longer using photography as her medium as she opted for
the paintbrush and pencil over a lens and shutter. We look forward to
possibly hosting her again in the preserve as she pursues this new avenue
of creativity.
Bob Killen has a review of “Aiken to Zzyzx” by Shawn Demarest. If
you did not get a chance to visit Shawn’s exhibit you can find it on our
website (www.mojaveair.org).
The OX Ranch project is progressing. We are in the middle of another
fund drive for the foundation. This year we are seeking to raise
$30,000.00. Your donation will fund operations and further our rehab
efforts at the ranch house. Please visit our donation page online and give
whatever you can.
You’ll find me under a wandering star.
Peace.
WHO WE ARE
The Mojave National
Preserve Artist
Foundation is a Not-
for-Profit Corporation
dedicated to supporting
the Artists in Residence
Program (AIR), and the
restoration of the Kousch
Homestead, a future
home for artists creating
work in Mojave National
Preserve.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Mojave National
Preserve Artists
Foundation is an all-
volunteer organization
dedicated to the
development of the arts
within Mojave National
Preserve. When you
make a donation, you
make a difference,
contributing funds that
will help restore our
new artist’s residence,
the historic Kousch
Homestead, expanding
arts on the Mojave
National Preserve, and
enabling us to present
exhibits that educate,
entertain, and inform
through the work of
gifted artists.
WHAT WE DO
The Foundation
provides programs
to encourage diverse
artistic interpretations
from emerging growth
and seasoned artists to
pursue themes that will
establish a continuum
of understanding for the
public regarding the land,
history, atmosphere,
and the many visual
communities of Mojave
National Preserve.
HOW TO DONATE
Contribute today
by going to https://
www.mojaveair.org/
contribute or send your
tax deductible donation
check to Mojave
National Preserve Artists
Foundation,
310 W. 5th St., 2nd Floor
Santa Ana, CA 92701
EDITORIAL MISSION
The Desert Light fosters
an appreciation of the
contributions and work
of artists who participate
in thematic projects
for Mojave National
Preserve. The magazine
uses the power of
imagery and language
to forge a lasting bond
between MNPAF
members, readers, while
inspiring new readers in
our efforts to develop
art in national Parks and
to complete the Kousch
Homestead Restoration
Mission.
HOW TO REACH US
On line:
[email protected]
Phone:
(562) 665-7472
Mail:
Mojave National Preserve
Artists Foundation
310 W. 5th St., 2nd Floor
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Tom
[email protected]
Jul/Aug 2018
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THE DESERT LIGHT
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