Black Mesa
This painting of the iconic Black Mesa was a milestone for me. I approached it with deep respect, knowing the site carries religious significance for Native people of the region.
As I painted, it felt less like applying color and more like carving the mesa out of an ancient sea—as if I were witnessing a geological moment millions of years in the making.
The blue band around the base was deliberate. It represents the “sea of erosion,” the memory of the ancient waters that slowly shaped the land and left this remarkable landmark standing above the surrounding plains.
The dark green masses in the foreground act as guides, leading the eye toward the mesa. The destination is Black Mesa itself, but the journey through the landscape is just as important.
Years later, when this painting hung in a gallery in Oregon, many visitors stopped in front of it. One friend told me it was the most dramatic painting of Black Mesa he had ever seen. That remains one of the nicest compliments I have received.