Sequestered during the COVID-19 outbreak, La Quinta artist Thomas Gill found a way to bring the atmospheric desert into his multimedia world. The result: a trippy, pulsating trek through a graphically designed landscape drenched in the colors of so many awe-inspiring sunsets.
“I do professional photography and videography but also have a passion for graphic design and digital art,” says Gill, who moved to California from Galway, Ireland, at a young age. “I try to incorporate the local environment into my projects as much as possible. I find the Coachella Valley a great inspiration for my work. You have the beautiful sunsets, the crazy rock formations, and a love for art in the local communities.”
For this animation, Gill says, “I wanted to incorporate the local geography of the valley, the windy sandy dunes, and the beautiful striped mountains that surround us. I sampled colors from photos I’ve taken of incredible sunsets over the years and used them to base the color palette of the whole project. The song used, ‘I Don’t Need U 2 Say Anything,’ by my buddy Le Gang, fit the atmosphere perfectly and helped drive the animation.”
Gill’s work earned a $500 grant to “Keep Art Alive” from the California Desert Arts Council (CDAC). The nonprofit organization is offering relief for working visual and performing artists in the Coachella Valley whose livelihood has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. CDAC and affiliate La Quinta Arts Foundation established a $50,000 Keep Art Alive fund to award grants to Coachella Valley artists and arts organizations who create thoughtful, inspiring, and relevant works responding to the crisis.
