“Deserts are not Barren”

Me in the Bolivian Desert in 2008

Deserts are not Barren

“To see the world in a grain of sand” ~ William Blake

The desert is not all it seems. What looks a very barren, plain and beige looking environment is so full of energy and activity and the desert is now probably the most favourite place I visited, including the Bolivian Salt Flats which were all part of an epic four day tour during my travels in South America.

I wrote the following passage 14 years ago. It is an excerpt from my travel journal in 2008 when I travelled through the Bolivian Desert. All these years later, I can still feel the spirit of the Bolivian desert, which immediately puts me at ease and also in awe and wonder of our amazing planet.  I created my artwork ‘Bolivian Desert’ as a reflection of the character of the desert, but also a reflection of me and my time spent there. Both then and now. Art allows us to express and to feel and I love that I can create something that takes me back to the feeling of being back somewhere again, in a place of mental calm and freedom. 

“We continued by jeep, through the desert, passing 4 lagoons. It was my first experience of the desert, and I can honestly say I have already fallen in love with it.  There is such an extreme diversity of landscape and climate that within the same range you can see sand, desert storms, snow-capped mountains, bubbling geysers, rain, hail, lighting and at the same time hear thunder whilst feeling the heat of the  sun. As well as this, the lagoons are really breath-taking because of their subtle pastel colours and the way in which the landscape and mountains are reflected in them. I cannot choose which lagoon was my favourite, but for certain the most interesting and unique was the red lagoon. Naturally dyed by the Planktons, the colours are really intense and provide a lovely contrast to the pink flamingos which  live and breed there". Lanson Moore Travel Journal. Feb 2008  

14 years on, I can close my eyes and be right back in the Bolivian desert. But now I don’t need to close them anymore. Because that feeling is here, captured in my art.  Right in front of me, and right in front of you. This piece is part of my South American Travels collection and is available for purchase. Visit my shop to find out more.