An Artist's Perspective

Carol Kucera

December 10, 2012

Early in my fine art career, while showing in a gallery in Georgetown, DC, I was encouraged by a friend (former sub-contractor with NASA) to submit my slides to Headquarters on Maryland Ave. for consideration to paint a shuttle launch. To my great surprise, I got a call from Bob Schulman (head of NASA graphics) in Jan. 1983, commissioning me to paint Sally Ride's launch in Challenger, STS7, June 18, 1983. To date that event remains the most exciting highlight of my long career. I own my own gallery in Santa Fe, NM, and have devoted much of my artwork to space science. The Planetary Society has published two of my paintings on the back cover ofThe Planetary Report, 2007 and 2011. I continue to feel honored that scientists and engineers who make it all happen would value the humble contributions of artists like me. I lament the defunding of the flagship missions, and still hope there will be a turnaround enabling our country to be the leader in space exploration, and inspire future generations.