Skip to content
Vatican Observatory
  • About
    • Overview
    • Team
    • FAQ
  • Telescopes
    • Overview
    • Telescope Images
  • Latest
    • Overview
    • Resources
    • Press
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Research
    • Authors
      • FAQs
    • Newsletter
    • Tucson Meteor Cameras
  • Podcast
  • Education
    • Overview
    • Resource Center
    • Image Gallery
    • Summer School
    • Books
    • Software
    • Additional Resources
    • ACME
    • Ambassadors
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Support
    • Overview
    • Donate Now
    • Smart Ways to Give
    • Sacred Space Astronomy
      • View Content
    • Fr. Coyne Fundraiser
    • Bequests / Trusts
    • The Foundation
      • Newsletters
      • Annual Reports
  • Press
  • Specola Vaticana
  • Contact
    • Contact
  • About
    • Overview
    • Team
    • FAQ
  • Telescopes
    • Overview
    • Telescope Images
  • Latest
    • Overview
    • Resources
    • Press
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Research
    • Authors
      • FAQs
    • Newsletter
    • Tucson Meteor Cameras
  • Podcast
  • Education
    • Overview
    • Resource Center
    • Image Gallery
    • Summer School
    • Books
    • Software
    • Additional Resources
    • ACME
    • Ambassadors
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Support
    • Overview
    • Donate Now
    • Smart Ways to Give
    • Sacred Space Astronomy
      • View Content
    • Fr. Coyne Fundraiser
    • Bequests / Trusts
    • The Foundation
      • Newsletters
      • Annual Reports
  • Press
  • Specola Vaticana
  • Contact
    • Contact

Mars Earth Merge Painting

By Deirdre Kelleghan  |  21 Aug 2020

Share:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share via Email
Dark sand emerging on the surface of the red planet as some of the ice covered dunes melt in the warmth of the spring sunshine. Credit: MRO Dark sand emerging on the surface of the red planet as some of the ice covered dunes melt in the warmth of the spring sunshine. Credit: MRO

When I first saw this image I thought it looked like petrified trees dotting the surface of Mars. Likewise the image could be  microscopic hairs on strange skin:-) However this amazing image is, in fact, a photograph which shows dark sand emerging on the surface of the red planet. This is  as a consequence of some of the ice-covered dunes melting in the warmth of spring sunshine.

This classic view of Mars was taken by HiRISE one of the most incredible cameras working in space. The camera rides onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. It subsequently produces feasts of data and true beauty to share with all of us. 

A little Mars chat

Earlier this  week I found a lovely NASA poster in my outreach box. It compares Mars to Earth in their similarities and differences. My grandson was fascinated by both planets even though he is only 3 and a half. We had a great chat about it all. As a result the session brought some memories of painting Mars blended with hints of the Earth.

As an artist, I am totally fascinated by the surfaces of other worlds.  Images taken by the solar system explorers are very inspiring. Many of my canvases emerge directly from my observations of a tiny fraction of an image or are influenced by an entire object. 

Mars Earth Merge

My painting Mars Earth Merge is  directly influenced by  space images in tandum with  my observations of surfaces on Earth. Keel Beach in Achill Island, Mayo, is one of my favourite places to walk. It is  six kilometres long, with a constant roar from the Atlantic waves.  In addition to walking there I enjoy taking macro images of the sand.   Observing how the rough sea makes channels in the sands delicate softness also captures my attention.   Generally the markings are delta-shaped, water etched, well defined, but fine. On Keel sometimes the wind whips up dry sand and sends it at great speed to wrap itself around rocks on the wet sand.

Title - Mars Earth Merge An exploration of Earth sand and tidal marks with the Martian landscape. Acrylics, Pastels,Sand, Seaweed, and Stone. By Deirdre Kelleghan Title – Mars Earth Merge An exploration of Earth sand and tidal marks with the Martian landscape. Acrylics, Pastels,Sand, Seaweed, and Stone. By Deirdre Kelleghan

This painting started as a depiction of those sand deltas on Keel. As it developed I had the idea to use Martian colours often associated with  MRO HiRise Images. I used pallet knives to merge Earth-style water erosion on a beach scale with long-gone water erosion on Mars which is on a larger scale.

Furthermore, I developed the link by adding a beach stone and lots of sand in layers on each side of the Mars / Earth delta. The sand I used was too perfect therefore I had to enhance it by introducing particles of pastel in yellow, and orange to give it some depth. The addition of a little seaweed gave a 3 D kick to the work.

Here are a few images from those walks that led to my painting.

28 inches X 22 inches Acrylics, Pastel, Rock, Sand and Seaweed on canvas. 

Follow HiRise on Twitter

 

 

Share:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share via Email

Sacred Space Astronomy

The Vatican Observatory’s official digital community and online magazine.

Become a Member

Recent Posts

Venus Has More Than 85,000 Individual Volcanic Landforms!

By Robert Trembley  |  30 Mar 2023  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

ⓜ Full Moon-th Meetup: 6 April, 2023

By Robert Trembley  |  29 Mar 2023  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Centuries of Stargazing Leave Jesuit Names Written in the Heavens

New York Times  |  29 Mar 2023  |  Press

INTERSECTION OF SCIENCE AND FAITH

By Robert Trembley  |  28 Mar 2023  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Archives

      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • August
      • June
      • March
      • January
      • November
      • October
      • December
      • November
      • April
      • May
      • January
      • December
      • September
      • May
      • March
      • December
      • November
      • February

More Posts by
Deirdre Kelleghan

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) a last view, bye-bye ancient comet. Thanks for the gift

By Deirdre Kelleghan  |  10 Feb 2023  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

A tale of an unexpected comet

By Deirdre Kelleghan  |  1 Feb 2023  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

The Lunar Occultation of Mars 2022

By Deirdre Kelleghan  |  8 Dec 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Let’s Draw our Moon

By Deirdre Kelleghan  |  6 Dec 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Deadly Moons aka Смертоносні Місяці

By Deirdre Kelleghan  |  22 Nov 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Europa

By Deirdre Kelleghan  |  25 Oct 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

View More

Newsletter

Upcoming astronomical events, scientific breakthroughs, philosophical reflections… just a few reasons to subscribe to our newsletter!

Vatican Observatory
  • About
  • Telescopes
  • Latest
  • Podcast
  • Education
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Support
  • Press
  • Specola Vaticana
  • Contact
Privacy Policy  |   Cookie Policy  |   Disclosure Statement

Podcast:

  • Apple Podcasts Listen onApple Podcasts
  • Spotify Listen onSpotify
  • Google Podcasts Listen onGoogle Podcasts
  • Stitcher Listen onStitcher
  • Amazon Alexa Listen onAmazon Alexa
  • TuneIn Listen onTuneIn
Made by Longbeard