Eldorado

Contradicting a common notion that the desert is a wasteland, Thomson's landscape depicts an environment that is both grand and inviting in its unspoiled beauty.  The long, horizontal format the artist chose for the canvas aids in his depiction of a vast, immense environment, giving the impression that the scene could continue on forever in both directions.  Thomson's manipulation of light and color also contributes to this sense of measurable distance, as colors and details become lighter and less distinct as they recede into the background, effectively capturing the true atmospheric qualities that exist in this region.

Thomson's use of soft colors and warm light imbue "Eldorado" with the sense of mysterious quietude that one finds in the desert.  His painting reminds visitors to the courthouse of the natural splendor that exists only a short distance from the city, a visual retreat from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.  The courthouse is situated at the edge of downtown and is a symbolic transition between city and desert.  This contrast of the urban and natural environment characterizes the Las Vegas region and exemplifies the diverse reality of the contemporary American landscape.

"When I started this project I thought about the area and what was the feeling I wanted to convey in the painting. I wanted the viewer to relax and have a relaxing and tranquil moment with no signs of humanity.  I chose the subject of the great basin as something intrinsic of the Mojave Desert here in southern Nevada. When the light hits the golden hour it produces long golden light not obstructed for hundreds of miles and highlights everything in this golden light.

The image has a trail heading down toward the light which represents truth. Most of the viewers will be in search of the truth. The clouds in the distance left could represent problems moving in like a storm and appear to be clearing towards the "truth." I feel like the bushes represent the people in the world, everyone appears to be the same but are totally different. Each creosote bush has its own colony of life living beneath it, like families depending on each other to survive.  They too are waiting for the clouds to do its job of giving water to this desert, and to clean its air and scrub the desert clean with its flashing flooding. Clouds can be good and can create havoc at the same time."