Moon: A Portrait

Ballpoint pen on paper, 2022
40cm x 40cm

This drawing, completed with a ballpoint pen, represents over 100 hours of meticulous work. I used a high-resolution photograph made available by NASA and a grid system to accurately place all geographical features, ensuring that every crater and shadow reflects the true appearance of the moon.

My intention with this piece was to get close and intimate and to draw a candid portrait of the moon's face. Looking past its cultural significance and layers of symbolism, I wanted to take the time to appreciate its intricate beauty in all its detail and specificity. And in the slow process of rendering the lunar craters, one by one, I got a glimpse into the violent past etched into its surface.