Sustainable Space Ship/Suit

Colored pencil, soft pastel, acrylic paint on black mixed media paper

A brief dream fragment: Wondering how space radiation could be handled by mimicking the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere in miniature form around a structure or person in space. I saw an image of a small bubble, surrounded by larger concentric spherical fields, emanating from each pole of the bubble. Made me think of learning from the Earth and adapting what is already known and available. Woke up feeling hopeful.

I used colored pencil, soft pastels, acrylic paint on black mixed media paper for the image. It’s been awhile since I’ve made physical art; I usually use the tablet and paint program. I enjoyed this first attempt and would like to continue using the physical materials (as well as the digital means).

Reflections: This dream was likely inspired by the recent Artemis II moon mission. I loved watching the stream of the astronauts on the mission and seeing all of the gorgeous pictures come back. I was grateful for a sense of unity: It felt like most people were aware of and interested in the mission, the astronauts, the moon pictures, the splashdown of the Orion capsule returning to Earth, the science behind it all. It also made me think of my Dad, who was an avid astronomy hobbyist. He would have loved the Artemis II mission and the pictures of the moon’s far side. I miss him.

Questions I’m asking myself: What new situations might I be considering that could be amazing, but might feel like flinging myself into space? What are some possibly hostile environments I may find myself in? What is already known and available to me that might protect me? Are there protective strategies that I could mimic?