"There is beauty and mystery in human connections. This painting invites you to reflect on the relationships in your life—those that make you feel part of something bigger, something cosmic. 'Being Interstellar with You' is a reminder that we’re all connected, like stars in a constellation, each of us playing a vital role in the larger story of the universe".
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and felt a deep sense of awe, as if the stars were telling a story only you could hear? That feeling inspired me to create 'Being Interstellar with You', a piece that explores our connections on a cosmic scale.
The Stardust Connection
One of the ideas that deeply influenced this work is the concept that everything in the universe, including us, is made of “stardust.” Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson eloquently explains this, noting that the elements that form our bodies—carbon, oxygen, iron—were originally created in the cores of ancient stars. When those stars reached the end of their lives, they exploded as supernovae, scattering their elements across the cosmos. Over time, these elements formed new stars, planets, and eventually, living beings.
For instance, the iron in our blood, essential for transporting oxygen, was forged in a star that existed long before Earth came into being. The carbon atoms, fundamental to life, also have their origins in distant stars. Modern research in astrophysics and cosmochemistry has identified specific isotopes (variations of elements with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons) that have been traced back to stellar explosions preceding the formation of our solar system. This discovery underscores that the atoms within us—and everything around us—are of cosmic origin. We are all bound to the cosmos because the same matter that forms stars also forms us.
Intertwined Lives
This shared cosmic origin led me to reflect on how our lives are intricately connected, not only to the universe but to each other. 'Being Interstellar with You' represents my exploration of these cosmic bonds and how they resonate in the relationships that define our lives.
Just as the stars trace complex, shifting patterns across the night sky, our relationships shift and evolve, bringing us closer or allowing space. This ebb and flow make our connections beautiful and rich with meaning.
Balancing Individuality and Connection
At the core of Being Interstellar with You is also the idea of balancing individuality and connection. While each star shines with its own light, together they form vast constellations. Similarly, true connection celebrates our unique selves within the broader, shared experience. In honoring both unity and individuality, we create relationships that are deep, resilient, and fulfilling.
This painting captures that balance. True connection doesn’t mean losing ourselves; it’s about finding harmony—where our unity amplifies our uniqueness. 'Being Interstellar with You' is a celebration of this balance, a reminder that relationships can transform and elevate us while still honoring who we are at our core.
A Cosmic Invitation to Reflect on Connection
The painting invites you to ponder the beauty and mystery in your connections. Who are the people in your life who make you feel part of something larger, as if you’re woven into the cosmic fabric? How do you nurture these relationships, celebrate individuality, and honor unity?
Together, we form a constellation of relationships, each connection lighting the way of our shared journey through life. As you look upon this work, I hope it encourages you to reflect on your relationships, to celebrate those cosmic connections, and to honor the balance between unity and individuality.
How do you celebrate your true connections? How do you shine within the constellation of relationships that surround you?
With Love,
Nina
deGrasse Tyson, N. (2007). Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. W. W. Norton & Company.
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and felt a deep sense of awe, as if the stars were telling a story only you could hear? That feeling inspired me to create 'Being Interstellar with You', a piece that explores our connections on a cosmic scale.
The Stardust Connection
One of the ideas that deeply influenced this work is the concept that everything in the universe, including us, is made of “stardust.” Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson eloquently explains this, noting that the elements that form our bodies—carbon, oxygen, iron—were originally created in the cores of ancient stars. When those stars reached the end of their lives, they exploded as supernovae, scattering their elements across the cosmos. Over time, these elements formed new stars, planets, and eventually, living beings.
For instance, the iron in our blood, essential for transporting oxygen, was forged in a star that existed long before Earth came into being. The carbon atoms, fundamental to life, also have their origins in distant stars. Modern research in astrophysics and cosmochemistry has identified specific isotopes (variations of elements with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons) that have been traced back to stellar explosions preceding the formation of our solar system. This discovery underscores that the atoms within us—and everything around us—are of cosmic origin. We are all bound to the cosmos because the same matter that forms stars also forms us.
Intertwined Lives
This shared cosmic origin led me to reflect on how our lives are intricately connected, not only to the universe but to each other. 'Being Interstellar with You' represents my exploration of these cosmic bonds and how they resonate in the relationships that define our lives.
Just as the stars trace complex, shifting patterns across the night sky, our relationships shift and evolve, bringing us closer or allowing space. This ebb and flow make our connections beautiful and rich with meaning.
Balancing Individuality and Connection
At the core of Being Interstellar with You is also the idea of balancing individuality and connection. While each star shines with its own light, together they form vast constellations. Similarly, true connection celebrates our unique selves within the broader, shared experience. In honoring both unity and individuality, we create relationships that are deep, resilient, and fulfilling.
This painting captures that balance. True connection doesn’t mean losing ourselves; it’s about finding harmony—where our unity amplifies our uniqueness. 'Being Interstellar with You' is a celebration of this balance, a reminder that relationships can transform and elevate us while still honoring who we are at our core.
A Cosmic Invitation to Reflect on Connection
The painting invites you to ponder the beauty and mystery in your connections. Who are the people in your life who make you feel part of something larger, as if you’re woven into the cosmic fabric? How do you nurture these relationships, celebrate individuality, and honor unity?
Together, we form a constellation of relationships, each connection lighting the way of our shared journey through life. As you look upon this work, I hope it encourages you to reflect on your relationships, to celebrate those cosmic connections, and to honor the balance between unity and individuality.
How do you celebrate your true connections? How do you shine within the constellation of relationships that surround you?
With Love,
Nina
deGrasse Tyson, N. (2007). Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. W. W. Norton & Company.
