Astronomy
The Little Gem Nebula Project

The Little Gem Nebula Project

The Little Gem Nebula Project explores imagined nebular landscapes through mixed media art. I use texture, color, and luminous pigments to create compositions that invite you to look again as the light changes.

Across the series, resin, mica, sand, paint, and grout bring different qualities to the surface. Raised details and shimmer give the daylight views their own character. Darkness reveals another pattern of luminous shapes.

A nebula imagined through materials

These abstract works are my interpretations of cosmic landscapes. Each canvas offers a different arrangement of forms, with room for you to find your own connections. Follow a shape across the surface, pause at a textured detail, and compare what catches your attention in each photograph.

The larger canvases

Begin with three larger works. Use the photograph switches to compare ordinary light, blacklight, and glow views where available. Select any image to open it larger.

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2017

16 × 20 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2017: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2017: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2017: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2017: Glowing

Little Gem Nebula 30.2023

20 × 26 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

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Little Gem Nebula 30.2023: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula 30.2023: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula 30.2023: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula 30.2023: Glowing

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 45.2018

24 × 36 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 45.2018: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 45.2018: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 45.2018: Artificial light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 45.2018: Artificial light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 45.2018: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 45.2018: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 45.2018: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 45.2018: Glowing

The square canvases

Six smaller square works continue the exploration. Their photographs bring the surface details closer and show how the same composition can read differently with a change in illumination.

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 23.2022

12 × 12 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 23.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 23.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 23.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 23.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 23.2022: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 23.2022: Glowing

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2022

12 × 12 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2022: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 20.2022: Glowing

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 11.2022

12 × 12 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 11.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 11.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 11.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 11.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 11.2022: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 11.2022: Glowing

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 24.2022

12 × 12 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 24.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 24.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 24.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 24.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 24.2022: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 24.2022: Glowing
Another light photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 24.2022: additional natural light view
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 24.2022: additional natural light view

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 7.2022

10 × 10 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 7.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 7.2022: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 7.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 7.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 7.2022: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 7.2022: Glowing

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 1.2022

12 × 12 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 1.2022: In the light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 1.2022: In the light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 1.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 1.2022: Blacklight
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 1.2022: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 1.2022: Glowing

A smaller world

This 8 × 10 inch canvas also belongs to the collection. Its available photograph is presented here alongside the works with multiple lighting views.

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 42.2018

8 × 10 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 42.2018: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 42.2018: Natural light

A nebula in two panels

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022 consists of two panels, each measuring 20 × 16 inches. Keep them together as one work while comparing each panel’s natural light and glow photographs.

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel A

20 × 16 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel A: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel A: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel A: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel A: Glowing

Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel B

20 × 16 inches. Mixed media, resin, and mica on canvas.

Choose a photograph
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel B: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel B: Natural light
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel B: Glowing
Little Gem Nebula GNC: 8.2022, Panel B: Glowing

Return to the details

Natural and artificial light reveal the colors and textures of these canvases. Blacklight photographs show their response to ultraviolet illumination. Glow photographs capture the luminous details in darkness. Spend a little time comparing those views and noticing which shapes become more prominent.

For questions about a work, its materials, or care, contact me with its title. Follow the individual piece’s instructions before exploring its texture by touch.