North America 45n 120w

Creative Rationale

Over the mountains of north-central Washington State, near the Canadian border, extreme cold temperatures create a deeply contemplative atmosphere. The bitter 3.8 Kelvin reading (-269°C) drives this composition into Rothko's darkest palette of midnight blues and charcoal blacks, while the moderate 70% humidity gives these somber fields a subtle inner luminescence. The low pressure system creates two dominant bands that press against each other with soft, breathing edges blurred by gentle northwestern winds.