Beneath an Open Sky

Story

I was driving home one evening when the mountains caught my attention.

Golden hour had already passed, but the show wasn't over.

The mountains had taken on that beautiful dusty pink that appears for just a short while after the sunset.  Above them, the sky softened into shades of blue, lavender and pink, while the desert below began settling into shadow.

I knew I wanted to capture that quieter side of a desert sunset.

Beneath an Open Sky became a triptych-three individual 11x14 canvases brought together in one 20x40 frame.  Each panel captures another piece of the landscape, allowing the desert and sky to stretch across the entire composition.

Reflection

We are often drawn to the brightest part of a sunset-the gold, the fire, the moment everyone stops to watch.

But there is beauty after the brilliance, too.

The light softens. The colors become quieter. Details begin to disappear, and somehow the whole landscape feels more peaceful.

Maybe there is something to learn in that.

Not every beautiful season of life has to be bright or spectacular.  Some of the most meaningful moments come quietly, after we thought the best part had already passed.

There is still beauty is what comes next.

Scripture

"Where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy."

-Psalm 65:8