The Brush Strokes of Star Birth
by Lucy West
Title
The Brush Strokes of Star Birth
Artist
Lucy West
Medium
Painting - Acrylic On Canvas
Description
The Brush Strokes of Star Birth (title credit Phil Plait) takes 1st place in Space and Astronomy Art contest, Oct. 28, 2012. This is a painting of a nebula cataloged as Sharpless 2-106, short version S106. S106 is a star-forming region located in the constellation Cygnus. It is a dynamic nebula stretching approximately two light years across, which is small in comparison to the famous Orion Nebula M42 that stretches approximately 24 light years across. The bright star in the middle of the nebula surrounded by a cocoon of hourglass-shaped dark gases is definitely the "star" of the show. It's newly born energy is so intense that it has heated up the surrounding gases to 10,000 degrees Celsius causing them to glow in seemingly winged beauty. When I discovered the Hubble Space Telescope wide field image of S-106 IR, I couldn't take my eyes off the amazing little powerhouse. I was compelled to learn more about it and render it on canvas. A progression of the canvas work can be viewed at http://www.lucyweststudios.com/inthestudio.htm#887494228
Uploaded
September 19th, 2012
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Comments (24)
Lucy West
To my FAA friends, thank you for posting such nice comments! And a big shout out to the collector from Chandler, VA; Thanks for your interest in Brush Strokes of Star Birth!
Guido Montanes Castillo
Great astrophotography image!
Lucy West replied:
Thanks Guldo! It's actually an acrylic painting on canvas. Thanks for kind comment :)
Barbara McMahon
Lucy, Congratulations on your First Place Win in the Space and Astronomy contest!!! You should be recognized far and wide for your fabulous talent in painting this amazing work!!!! v/f
Nicla Rossini
congratulations Lucy! This piece is the winner of our astronomy contest and is featured in the group Art Promotion and Marketing. v/p
Joyce Dickens
Mind boggling artwork Lucy! I really thought I was viewing an image from the Hubble Space Telescope.....I am in total AWE!!! Joyce Big congratulations on the recent sales of this magnificent artwork!!!
Barbara McMahon
Linda, This is an exquisite painting of the S106! I have painted nebulae and know the level of difficulty required to turn our such a masterful painting! BIG CONGRATULATIONS on your sale!
Mario J Borgatti
Just received my print of The Brush Strokes of Star Birth. As a long time devotee of space exploration. and space art, I have seen and studied many examples of the genre and can honestly say, Lucy West's painting of S106 is one of the most beautiful illustrations of a nebula I have ever seen. The fact that it's a painting, not one of the many magnificent Hubble images, makes it all the more mind boggling! The fitting title of Lucy's work is a testament to her phenomenal mastery of rendering complex cosmological objects. Leonardo's spirit must reside within her soul.
Lucy West replied:
Dear Mario, you've shared such lovely and poetic thoughts. I am touched and honored by your generous descriptions of my painting. 'Thank you' seems inadequate to express how much I appreciate your support of my work and for posting your beautiful expressions. Your friend, Lucy
Lucy West
A very big thank you to the buyer/collector from South Dennis, MA!! I appreciate your interest in my work :)
Kyle Fahrenkrug
Was reading bad astronomy, comparing the two pictures (the reference from Huble and this, the actual picture). Not too ashamed to admit I thought the paining was the actual image xD. Definitely buying this when I can. Gorgeous :)
Lucy West replied:
Kyle, thank you for a most enjoyable post. Reading your impressions of my painting of S106 have made my day.... X 10 !!
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