Exoconstellations…
For countless centuries stellar constellations have served Humankind in myriad ways from mythology to navigation to philosophy and beyond. Recently, my incredible wife gave me the jumping off point of “constellations” in terms of inspiration. I took this idea and ran my own funky, cosmic way with it.
Enter my “Exoconstellation” series, five paintings dedicated to possible constellations throughout our Universe as seen from undiscovered exoplanets. Each features the exoplanet in question, the exoconstellation, and the space around them. All of them were created to be black light (UV) reactive.
“Hÿy Ghānzs - The Two-Headed Gorgerahk”
(acrylic and oil on canvas)
This is the guiding constellation for all mariners on the exoplanet J’Kath Yÿr and has been for countless millennia. The two moons visible are called “Yÿr Ftha” and “Yÿr Jktha”. J’Kath Yÿr is a wondrous and beautiful planet peopled by three different species of sentient beings and countless other forms of life all over the nutrient rich sphere.
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"Naoln - Goddess of Sunshine and Merriment"
(acrylic and oil on canvas)
This time, we have exoplanet "Nrla-Tao" which sits right on the edge of a great and beautiful nebula whose name we have yet to learn. Nrla-Tao is peopled by a prime race of peaceful and joyful humanoids whose chief focus is to spread Love and Hope and Peace and Laughter to all corners of their galaxy and the Universe beyond should the opportunity present itself. The three moons of Nrla-Tao are as follows: Kwo, Taak, and I-Br, only the last of which is inhabited.
"Naoln - Goddess of Sunshine and Merriment" is the constellation dedicated to the guiding philosophy amongst the people of Nrla-Tao: Live, Love, and help others do the same. In mythology, Naoln's eyes shone like the bright stars of the heavens and her smile was said to have mystical powers.
I dedicate this piece to my sweet and lovely friend, Lonna. I will miss you and will never forget your smiling face. Rest easy, sweet lady...
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“Cullthix Qrrx - The Hunterfather”
(acrylic and oil on canvas)
“Exoconstellation” Number Three in my series comes to us from the planet of “K’Rellich-Kylug” located deep within the Horse Head Nebula which orbits a massive gas giant. At the present moment in time, the apex species on the planet is an intelligent form of insectoid life who refer to themselves as the “Cyllithix”. Resembling a cross between Earth’s praying mantis and butterfly, these unique and beautiful beings are just at the beginning of their intelligent evolution. “Iron Age” by relative Earth standards, the Cyllithix are only now starting to navigate the seas of their world, thereby spawning a swath of constellations into creation. The planet’s single moon is known as “Cyllx, the Overmother”.
“Cullthix Qrrx - The Hunterfather” is one of the first constellations developed by the Cyllithix people. Representing one of the major deities of the insectfolk, this constellation is just starting to be used by mariners all over K’Rellich-Kylug.
Black (UV) Light
“111.0.100.111”
(acrylic and oil on canvas)
Fourth in line for my “Exoconstellation” Series, this collection of stars hails from the long-distant exoplanet of “101110001001”. Sentient carbon-based life died off long ago leaving behind a race of super-intelligent robots who took over the planet and renamed it. Since ascending to the apex of the planet’s denizens, the “0110-001-101011” (as they call themselves) have dedicated themselves to the maintenance of the culture that had come before, most specifically in the pursuits of art and music. These hyper-smart artificial intelligences took to the arts like ducks to water and, to this day, produce some of the most breathtaking visual and aural works in the Universe. Three of the four moons are inhabited by another race of sentient creatures called the “Gellu Zyn”, a peaceful and mystic species. The atmosphere on 101110001001 is far too harsh for the Gellu Zyn so they stick to their moons and happily so. Their three home moons are known as “Qullic”, “Wikkj”, and “Lonh-Bwd” and are gorgeous havens of life and magic.
“111.0.100.111” (acrylic and oil on canvas) translates roughly as “the connection of electricity that stimulates the correct response”. Truly, the language of the 0110-001-101011 is difficult to translate accurately, even for the nearby Gellu Zyn. This constellation is one of the main ones used to map the space sky by the robotic people.
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“N'ger'u Moko'whiti - Sojourner of the Stars"
(acrylic and oil on canvas)
This latest piece is the final installment of my "Exoconstellation" Series.
For those who mightn’t know, on the other side of our galaxy lies a solar system not unlike our own. On the fourth planet from the central star, life grew much like it did on Earth, however, with many major differences. First, sentient life developed on this planet, known as Mizcatua, much, much earlier than on earth. In fact, about a billion years to be exact. This placed the apex species of Mizcatua, the Kitskahn, in the running for oldest intelligent race in the Universe. This was unbeknownst to them, however, since they had yet to leave the confines of the Milky Way. Instead, they evolved into a global culture and society based upon science and exploration that, eventually, colonized countless solar systems and planets on their side of the galaxy. Resembling what humankind would call Earth felines, the humanoid Kitskahn stand approximately 1.5 to 2 meters tall, with the females being slightly smaller in stature than the males, but not by much. Of note physiologically, only the females of the species possess full tails, the males, for whatever evolutionary reason, retained only a small stub of a tail, much like an Earth Manx cat. As such, it became the females of the species who possessed a more well-rounded social psychology that they perfected the expression of through their longer and more developed tails. The Kitskahn have long left concepts like warfare and aggression in the past — their superior technological advancements eventually eclipsed the “need” for any such foolishness. Instead, they focused on spreading progress and knowledge throughout space and all planets they might come in contact with and continue to do so to this day.
"N'ger'u Moko'whiti - Sojourner of the Stars" (acrylic and oil on canvas) is the most lauded constellation of the Kitskahn and has been since their very beginnings. Shaped like a female Kitskahn explorer, this collection of stars has inspired this feline race of scientists and adventurers to travel and wander and learn and teach for millions and millions of years.
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