Solar Eclipse Poster – Michael Lentz

To celebrate the special role of eclipses in connecting art and science, creatives across NASA will be sharing their eclipse-inspired artwork in anticipation of two solar eclipses that will cross the United States on October 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024. This poster was created by Tyler Nordgren.

Michael Lentz is an art director and artist fortunate to have worked with respected organizations such as National Geographic, Discovery, and now NASA. He is currently the art director at NASA’s Conceptual Image Lab and leads the NASA Creatives group, where he enjoys the opportunity to combine science and art to create compelling visuals. Michael believes in the power of storytelling and innovation to convey the wonders of the universe.

Where did you get inspiration for the eclipse poster?

“When given the task of creating an eclipse piece, I was intrigued by how different landscapes could change the feel of this celestial event. I worked up a few different environments, but my personal love for forests and mountains led me to the setting I chose. As for style, I was inspired by the simplicity and elegance of Japanese woodblock prints or Ukiyo-e, which translates to ‘pictures of the floating world’ – a phrase I found fitting for an eclipse.”

What inspired you to become an artist?

“My interest in art was nurtured from a young age by my parents, so art has always been a part of my life. College was a time of discovery and growth as I found a new medium to explore – digital art. Despite this, I still appreciate the tactile experience of working in traditional mediums and often find myself in my studio. For me, art is a way to understand the world around us, which makes working at NASA a perfect convergence of my love for art and curiosity about the universe.”