Moonstone is inspired by the experience of scaling a hill to find the moon hanging large and low above a valley. The moon is depicted as an organic, oval form in a soft shade of honey to convey the expansive, abundant feeling rather than a more literal visual experience.

The shapes in the painting can be seen as the undulating terrain of the hill, guiding the viewer's eye toward the “moon” cradled within the “valley.”

The sky is a vibrant yellow whilst the moon is muted to reverse and accentuate the sensation of an artificially, luminous moment. Rich purples and greens are layered with glazes and speckled to suggest wildflowers or insects cast in the light and shadows of twilight.

Overall, this painting strives to capture the emotional journey of the ascent with the visual beauty of the landscape, suggesting that in our explorations, we often find awe-inspiring moments waiting for us just beyond the horizon.

Acrylic on cradled, wooden panel.

30 x 30 x 1.8 cms.