! Editor ’ s Note
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
Art as Science , Science as Art
We do a lot of searching at the MNPAF to find a unique voice for the Artist in Residence Program . Last year , Seattle graphic designer , Shelly Smith blew us away with a proposal about microscopic life in the Preserve .
Pool Basin 1
In 1931 , physicist Ernst Ruska and electrical engineer Max Knoll made the microscopic universe visible to the human eye with the invention of the electron microscope . Since then , people ’ s fascination with the biology of life has driven science to make this world more readily accessible . Once cumbersome this technology is now small enough to travel to remote locations . That ’ s where Shelly ’ s work comes in .
She calls them “ Cell Portraits .” In essence , water samples from the locations that she visits are magnified for interpretation through watercolor paint . In many of her pieces , soil and organic material from the collection site augment the paint color . The microscopic amoebas and other cellular creatures appear on the canvas in what can be described as living color .
Smith ’ s keen eye and graphic design skills inspire awe as she opens a window into the microscopic world of the desert . I encourage you to visit the Desert Light Gallery for her exhibition . I believe you will agree , her art is a wholly unique way to look at Mojave National Preserve .
In other MNPAF news , the O . X . Ranch fundraiser is off to big start . To date we have raised 27 % of our $ 25,000 goal . Visit our fundraise . com site , watch the video and donate today ! https :// www . fundraise . com / mojavenationalpreserveartistsfoundation
You ’ ll find me under a wandering star . Peace .
Tom tom @ mojaveair . org
WHO WE ARE The Mojave National Preserve Artist Foundation is a Notfor-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 .
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 .
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 .
MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Mojave National Preserve Artists Foundation is an allvolunteer 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 .
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
HOW TO REACH US On line : director @ mojaveair . org Phone : ( 562 ) 665-7472 Mail : Mojave National Preserve Artists Foundation 310 W . 5th St ., 2nd Floor Santa Ana , CA 92701
Mar / Apr 2017 | THE DESERT LIGHT 3