Shenandoah Study: gilded archival print

This special edition reproduces my painting Study for Shenandoah from my ongoing night sky series—work that reaches back to childhood stargazing in rural Virginia while thinking about the incomprehensible distance starlight travels to reach our eyes.

The 13 by 19 inch image matches the original painting’s scale, then goes further: I’ve hand-applied 23-karat gold and palladium leaf to each star and point of light. This gilding process surprised me—by using thicker adhesive, I got some subtle texture in the leaf rather than the paper-flat finish I expected. These flecks catch light from across the room, even under glass, then reveal their dimensionality up close.

The precious metals respond to light in ways ink cannot, but they’re also here to honor something about seeing and being present. All that distance and time, made present right now.

Each of the seven prints in this edition is hand-gilded, so yours will vary slightly from these photos.

High-quality archival materials ensure your print will last. Pigmented inks on acid-free 100% cotton paper (17 by 22 inches with white margins). I’ve adjusted the digital file so the colors glow.

Numbered, titled, signed, with certificate of authenticity.

Ships flat.

Optional white 18 by 24 inch frame with museum rag mat available at checkout.