Astra Lumina Light Show in December

December of 2023 brought us the Astra Lumina light show in LA where we experienced a late night outdoor light show. It was freezing cold but a cool conceptual experience. I had never been to a light show before and it was an experience for the senses. We drove to rancho Palos verdes late one afternoon after grabbing a quick bite and hopped on a bus to the botanical gardens where the light show was displayed. The pathways were lit up with astral projections and music accompanied the experience. I thought it was quite inspiring and made me think about painting light in the evening.

I’m not sure it was worth the price of the tickets to be honest, but it was a great experience for a one time light show in a garden. I love taking my own subject photos for paintings and there were a lot of photo opportunities. The event attracted a lot of people. The lights were geometric and celestial in theme, and the sections of pathway with moving lights felt psychedelic. They also had a small bar for anyone who might want a drink or a warm beverage to keep their hands toasty. Given how freezing cold it was and the fact I was 7 months pregnant, the hot chocolate was welcomed.

If you prefer to watch our experience of the show, I document it in this video on The Last Pigment. Stay tuned to see how I use this show to produce a watercolor painting.

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