! Editor ’ s Note
Spring .
The word conjures all kinds of images . Tulips rising from their long winter slumber in a burst of color ; Young animals finding their footing in their new world for the first time ; Once lifeless branches become supple support for their new crop of green leaves ; Rabbitbrush explodes with its yellow flora ; all combining to create a cornucopia of color across the desert floor .
We at the Desert Light Gallery find spring to be a time when artists come to the desert seeking a fresh perspective or to renew something lost during the long winter . Their eyes aglow with wonder as the desert wind has lost its cold bite and
Photo : The Chute - Bob Killen has yet to embrace the hot breath of summer . The breeze propels them on the pollen-filled currents into the gallery , it ’ s an annual occurrence during this time of year when we hear a distant traveler say , “ I didn ’ t know the desert could be so beautiful .”
Spring does that to a lot of us too . Ever impressive , she ( the desert ) never fails to take our breath away . This May-June we have a real treat for our intrepid artists and travelers looking for a fresh perspective . Our Artist in Residence is Portlandbased and Colorado native , Shawn Demarest with her exhibition , “ Aiken to Zzyzx .”
Shawn is a self-proclaimed Place-Based painter who found her voice on the streets of Portland in a nearly decade-long series entitled , “ Urbanscape ” Here she used a combination of live painting and photo reference to build an award-winning body of work . Using the street smarts learned in Portland , Shawn brought her talents to the desert floor of the Preserve , and the results are stunning .
Geometric shapes align with experiential landscapes forming a story of a painter in her stride . A must see , don ’ t miss this exhibit !
We are also pleased to have former AIR , Christine Hauber showing off some of her recent work in this issue ’ s , Artist ’ s Corner . Like so many artists Christine , struggled briefly with rediscovery – keeping the artist alive or feeding the inner artist . Working through the doldrums , she has rediscovered her voice in a series entitled , “ Kindred Spirits .” We applaud the hard work and give you , dear reader , a taste of what her hard work looks like .
Bob is out in the country capturing more of our National Park System with his camera and students in tow . We are working hard on the O . X . Ranch rehab project and will have a full update in our next issue .
You ’ ll find me under a wandering star . Peace .
Tom tom @ mojaveair . org
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
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
May / Jun 2018 | THE DESERT LIGHT 3