The rarest of breeds: an astronaut-artist

October 10, 11:29 PMSpace Exploration ExaminerMary Beth Ellis

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In the previous post, I mentioned Apollo 12 Moonwalker Alan Bean and his post-flight career as an artist.  What an exceptional guy he is, to have both sides of the brain functioning so well; it is rare indeed for the logical astronaut to work in mental tandem with the creative artist. 

These aren't just dabblings from a retired astronaut looking to fill his time-- these are gorgeous works of art.  According to his official NASA biography, "Bean resigned from NASA in June 1981 to devote his full time to painting. He said his decision was based on the fact that, in his 18 years as an astronaut, he was fortunate enough to visit worlds and see sights no artist’s eye, past or present, has ever viewed firsthand and he hopes to express these experiences through the medium of art."

Captain Bean paints not only himself and his mission, but those of his fellow lunar crews as well.  One of the most touching, The Fantasy, shows all three members of Apollo 12 on the surface of the moon, rather than just Bean and fellow Moonwalker Pete Conrad.  "We often fantasized Dick (Gordon) joining us on the Moon for all the fun, but we could never really find a way," Captain Bean writes on his website.  "But now I'm an artist and in my paintings I can have it my way. Now, at last, our best friend has come the last 60 miles."

Not all of his works are conventional paintings, and not all of his offerings lunar; Captain Bean has also completed glass mosaic pieces and delved into more abstract art as well.

I had the privilege of meeting Captain Bean during a signing at an Ohio gallery.  The staff handed out Moon Pies and Captain Bean himself distributed genuine smiles and kind words for all:  "I'm going to work at the Kennedy Space Center next month!"  I said, like a total dork.  "Oh, really?  That's wonderful!  Congratulations," he said, like a total gentleman.  He signed the print I'd purchased, "To Mary Beth-- Hold On To Your Dreams," and once I got on the sidewalk I shrieked and had the thing framed.  It's the centerpiece of our living room-- these few moments with a both-brains talented high flier... who's also very down to Earth.