Wild Horses | Vantage, Washington
a note from the artist
if a horse could draw god, it would draw an awesome horse.
Boreas is the purple-winged greek god of the north wind who takes the form of a horse in mythology. He brings winter from the cold north once a year and, on occasion, tows the winds of Aurora. I made that last part up. But, it’s mythology, and well, I feel like it’s appropriate when you stand before Wild Horses and imagine Boreas, the mightiest of equestrians, charging down from the heavens.
The aurora, named after the Roman goddess of dawn, are cosmic rays and solar winds that bring energy from the sun. The magnetic poles grab these winds and keep them from slamming into the planet. The energy excites the particles in our atmosphere causing them to give off light. Sort of like the way electricity excites tungsten, creating amber light. Different amounts of energy affecting different particles in the atmosphere cause different colors of light.
When I there there was going to be a massive aurora event in the PNW, I searched for a north-facing vantage of sky and discovered the Wild Horses monument in Vantage, Washington. When we arrived atop this steep rattlesnake habitat in the middle of the night, I immediately went for the cliff where I knew I’d find this horse and I knew I'd be alone. The catch was that to capture this equestrian I had to stand on a tiny rock jutting out from the face of cliff into the darkness. All I had was a Canon 7D and a 35mm lens; there was barely enough room for my tripod, and open air on all sides.
“But did you die?”
No. I managed this 15-image panoramic with barely more than a few scrapes and a handful of near-death experiences. The sky was awash of translucent and slightly green and purple curtains of light. This far south, if Washington can be considered “south,” the colors of the goddess are not usually visible to the naked eye. That I saw any color at all was an unusual treat for someone who hasn’t seen the northern lights since I served on Eielson Air Force Base in North Pole, Alaska in 2005. The camera, however, soaks up all the wild beauty of Aurora!
Edition of 12 available in 48”, 60”, & 72” sizes
About the prints: I print on a premium substrate that is unparalleled in depth and luminosity. The material refracts light in such a way that light travels laterally through the paper as well as reflects to the audience creating a brilliant effect that many mistake to be rear illumination. Each print is then face mounted to acrylic and sandwiched to a protective backing. The artwork is then framed or a recessed mount is added to the back to float on the wall. I offer Tabacchino and other handmade framing options. Available starting 20”x40” 30”60” 36”x72” 40”x80” 48”x96” and custom sizes. Below are examples in 4” frames with and without liners. More arrangements are available. Liners are available in Black, White, Beige. See FRAMES in the menu above for more frames and liner options.
