Under the Relentless Sun
“Under the Relentless Sun” series started as an installation piece created by myself, Candace Garlock, and my youngest granddaughter, Emsley Lewis, in 2025. This is a project we did together, reflecting upon our many adventures on the road, especially a trip to the Black Rock Desert. We had to drive the lonely highway north and then drive across the playa. We were searching for the elusive geodes under the black rock landscape. We collected rocks but no luck finding geodes. We did encounter road construction and were inspired by the reflective orange cones. The rocks in the installation were painted with the orange color and act as a metaphor for humanity’s constant presence in the desert. The shredded pieces of older prints and discarded wood were transformed into puddles of water surrounded by the symbolic wisps of wind in the form of paper tumbleweeds. The digital art combines photos from road trips and interpreted drawings of the installation.
Installation at TMCC Main Gallery: Myself/My Space: Collage Interpretations of Self-portraits & Environment
The roads in the Great Basin offer rich metaphors and symbols for themes such as isolation, transformation, endurance, and the passage of time. The vast, open desert roads evoke feelings of mystery. The desert landscape can create mirages and illusions, making the road a symbols of the blurred line between reality and perception.
Candace Garlock, Emsley Under the Relentless Sun at Craters of the Moon, 2025, Digital, 14"Wx19"H
Nevada - harsh, dry, windy, sunny.
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Summer 2025, my youngest grand daughter, Emsley and I are playing with GPT-4o mini AI app on the phone. We ask “How would you describe the state of Nevada?”
It’s response:
Nevada is a state characterized by its striking contrasts, blending vast desert landscapes with bustling urban centers. Known for its rugged terrain, it features the iconic Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and numerous valleys. The state's climate is predominantly arid, with hot summers and mild winters, leading to a unique ecosystem that includes both desert flora and fauna.
Las Vegas, its largest city, is synonymous with entertainment, nightlife, and luxury, drawing millions of visitors each year to its famous casinos and resorts. Yet, outside the glitz of the Strip, Nevada offers serene natural beauty, with attractions like Red Rock Canyon, Lake Tahoe, and Great Basin National Park, where one can find solitude and breathtaking scenery.
Culturally, Nevada has a rich history influenced by Native American heritage, mining booms, and the development of the railroad. The state is also known for its libertarian spirit, with a focus on personal freedom and minimal government intervention. Overall, Nevada is a land of extremes, where the harshness of the desert meets the vibrancy of urban life, creating a unique and fascinating environment.
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In less than a second, AI describes Nevada. It’s accurate. I ask Emsley, “What is it that you love about Nevada?” Of course right away, she starts singing “Tuscarora, Tuscarora! We are driving to Tuscarora!” Mind you, she has only been to Tuscarora twice in her 7 years on this planet, but the rural area of Eastern Nevada has left its mark. She and I, we are desert beings, finding joy on the long rides through emptiness. We love discovering what is overlooked and where others see nothing, we see an abundance of potential art materials - rocks, critter bones, sticks, scraps of tin and wire.
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Desert Blooms, as I like to call all my grandchildren. One of the earliest prints from this narrative was created in 2018. Emsley was just a little baby, but her mama knew her spirit animal was an elephant. Emsley the Elephant, she would say. The print folds in half. The front starts with a story and then opens to reveal the grandkids spirit animals, a circle among the desert blooms:
A boy was born and a monkey came to him and said, “You will be playful and bring lots of laughter to the people that surround you.”
When his brother was born, a dog appeared and said, “I am here to guide you and they will call you Mad Dog.” You will be loving and fiercely loyal to those you call family. You will love unconditionally and protect your bother. A sister was born soon after and a magpie came to her window to tell her, “You are a very cunning little girl who will always be happy and very, repeat, very social.” Another girl was born and her mom already knew her spirit, the elephant said, “You are wise beyond your experiences. Your memories of past will help guide you. Be gentle with your cousins and siblings to come.”
Desert Blooms front side of folding print.
Pen and Ink original drawing for “Desert Blooms” print.
