Fading Light

Fading Light

Fading light, at the end of a beautiful day. The light here in the high desert of New Mexico is so clear and brilliant that even an “ordinary” sunset here is extraordinarily beautiful. Even from the time I was a child passing through on family vacations, the light here has always touched my heart and soul. Fading light – a phenomenon in itself, but also a metaphor for many other things; almost anything you want it to be.

The fading light at sunset last night was nothing extraordinary for here. It was quite peaceful and soothing. The first image, with the sky itself still in various shades of grays and blues shows the pink alpineglow of the Sandia (“Watermelon”) Mountains. This image was taken at 8:11 pm, MDT. The second image, taken at 8:21 pm, MDT, shows the Sandia Mountains already almost dark, but the clouds still with a wonderful pink glow.

It should be noted these images were taken looking east toward the mountains, rather than the more typical sunset images taken looking west toward the setting sun. Here in Albuquerque we are fortunate to often have multiple views of changing light at sunset.

fading light sunset
Looking east toward the Sandia Mountains, 8:11 pm
fading light sunset
Looking east toward the Sandias at 8:22 pm

Dawn, 24 Hours Apart

Dawn, 24 hours apart during this active monsoon season, looked very different. Each was beautiful, as New Mexico skies tend to be.

At 6:05 MDT on July 10, a light rain was still falling, after significant overnight rainfall. The overcast sky was like a giant umbrella casting back a beautiful orange pink glow, while individual clouds in the mountains provided separation and depth to the Sandias. Although colorful, it was a gentle sunrise.

dawn
Sunrise Over the Sandias

The following day, at 5:47 MDT, slightly less than 24 hours later, a very different dawn appeared. The sky was clear with only a few wispy clouds, and the moon seems to sparkle as the day dawned. It was just as beautiful in its own way as the sky had been the day before.

dawn
Sunrise the Following Day

Although different, each was typical of a sunrise in New Mexico, “Land of Enchantment” and remarkable light with amazing skies.

Image New Mexico Opening

Image New Mexico 2015 Opening

Image New Mexico Opening Reception was held on Friday, July 3, at Matrix Fine Art. This was also part of First Friday Artscrawl, as well as part of the Independence Day holiday weekend. I went with the intention of enjoying myself, and I did. These are casual phone photos from the evening. Thanks to friend Tim Price who took the images of me. (We know about the glare on the glass at the beginning of the evening 😉 )

The majority of the images are black and white. Some are classic New Mexico, some show what can be done with digital art not “straight from the camera” nor intended to be. It is nice mix. The show will be open through July at Matrix Fine Art.

Image New Mexico Opening
“The Observer/The Observed”
Image New Mexico Opening
“Living Jewels – Harry’s Pearls”
Image New Mexico 2015
Laurie looking at some of the other art
Image New Mexico 2015
Tim with Pat Berrett, one of the organizers
Image New Mexico Opening
Burton, Tim, and Rosemary
Image New Mexico Opening
Jennifer
Image New Mexico Opening
Dr. Pat Morrow
Image New Mexico Opening
Laurie and some friends from Denmark

Once again, the two images I have in this show are “The Observer/The Observed” and “Living Jewels – Harry’s Pearls.”

Image New Mexico 2015
‘The Observer/The Observed’
Image New Mexico 2015
‘Harry’s Pearls’

I thank everyone who came to the opening, and especially my friends, some of whom really had to work hard to make it there. Thank you!

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons
%d bloggers like this: