Lidia Ostapiuk Earl

space program series

This series of paintings were initially inspired by Astronaut Ed White during the Gemini 4 mission in 1965, who became the first American to walk in space. He emerged from the space capsule like one born into a new era of human exploration. There was an unearthly beauty about this effortless space-borne event and I perceived that the race to the moon had more significance than just the technological contest between two superpowers. To me, it represented the human spirit soaring from the earthly confines, an initial step that would eventually lead to its exploring the universe. Humanity through these brave men lifted itself from the war-torn world of the turbulent sixties. Civilization seemed to be at the brink of disaster with riots, joblessness, Vietnam, and a space program was going to exalt it to a new realm of human experience. The victorious lunar landing of Apollo 11 in 1969 ended the decade on a hopeful note.

These Project Apollo paintings were created between 1966 - 1971 and are dedicated to the pioneers of space exploration including the Astronauts, Scientists and the tireless workers of the NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston, Cape Canaveral, The Langley Research Center, The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, John C. Houbolt, who presented and pushed the LOR concept, as well as The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation which built the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM).

SPACE BORN 1965

Edward H. White emerged out of the space capsule to take a glorious walk in the cosmos, inspiring and fascinating millions around the world. James McDivitt commanded the Gemini 4 mission with Ed White as his copilot
54" x 36"

Spirit & technology

Man and machine. Matter and technology. Spirit and flesh. In this era, Prometheus is unbound by technological advance.
66" x 54"

CAPE CANAVERAL

Eternal quest into the unknown has led mankind into a limitless future. Humanity is destined to explore the universe.
36" x 30"

humanity vs universe

My second son was born during this series and is included above as well as the brilliant aerospace engineer, John C Houbolt on the upper left, combining a depiction of a space monkey, this painting represents humanity's eventual conquering of the universe,
60" x 54"

VICTORY

Man conquers the moon draped in his high tech toga representing mankind. Within him is the curious child tinkering with an interesting gadget. The '*I Like Ike*' button represents the Eisenhower administration.
60" x 54"

Mercury
"Friendship 7"

John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth. Glenn's "Friendship 7" Mercury spacecraft successful splashdown was considered miraculous as he almost perished when the heat resistance shield became compromised. Pictured at the bottom right-hand corner is Christopher Kraft, the tireless flight director throughout Project Mercury.
60" X 54"

Lidia_painting-2 (1).jpg — EQUATION IN FAITH

The astronaut reaching out into the universe represents all humanity in its ultimate question: "What is the purpose of life?". Technology and the human spirit reach out to the Creator for the answer.
72" x 62"

Lidia_painting-4 (1).jpg — apollo 11

The LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) lands like a giant metallic spider. Heroes of the history's greatest exploration, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins explore their new environment, perform various experiments, and gather samples. This painting is dedicated to them as well as the competitive spirit of the space race between the US & USSR, the two superpowers.
66" x 54"

MAIN STREET USA

In this painting, the LEM spacecraft is superimposed over the main street of a typical city of the 1960's depicting social stagnation, unemployment and hopelessness. "Horizontal Is Death" and "Vertical Is Life" intersects in the middle. These, I felt would be transformed by the NASA pioneering spirit and new horizons.
72" x 64"