#celestial skies

One of the most beautiful places to capture the night sky.✌️

Simply beautiful. 💜🖤

(Single Exposure/trackers/stacked. No AI.)

📷: clanger_mcbanger

Crimson Landscapes Under Spirited Skies

In the midst of the mystical terrains of Sedona, Arizona—a place where the earth reveals in vibrant hues the secrets of ancient times—I found the vision that came to life in Crimson Landscapes Under Spirited Skies. This artwork was born from my desire to capture the ethereal interplay between land and sky, where each moment whispers a different story under the ever-watchful gaze of the cosmic expanse.

Standing before the sprawling canvas of nature's masterpiece, I peered through the lens to immortalize the mesmeric blend of fiery rock formations with their rich hues of crimson and umber. The canvas is not any ordinary photograph; it is a full spectrum unveiling of one of nature's most splendid mosaics, where the earth's scars and stories are kissed by sunlight, draping the landscape in a delicate veil of shadow and light. Each rock tells a tale of time etched in intricate textures, their bold forms rising in a choreography of natural grandeur.

Amidst this warm spectacle stand the lush green sentinels of the desert—trees, guardians of life against the raw elegance of rocky giants. They provide a cool breath in a palette dominated by fiery tones, grounding the visual symphony in harmony and balance. Above, the sky unleashes its drama, clouds swirling with unfettered freedom, as if swept by the spirited winds of some celestial painter, casting dynamic shadows that dance in concert with the earth below.

The genesis of this artwork was a melding of my innermost reflections with the tangible magnificence of nature. The pull to capture such awe was unyielding; the landscape begged to be witnessed anew, to be celebrated in transcendent form. Every glance at the scene conveyed different nuances, the narrative shifting with each flicker of sunlight, each change of the sky’s temper.

Creating Crimson Landscapes Under Spirited Skies was an odyssey of embracing nature’s absolute authenticity. The process demanded not only a keen eye to details that transcend the ordinary but also a deep communion with the environment as the scene transformed with the journey of the sun. This piece stands as a testament to the ever-changing yet eternal essence of nature, capturing an elusive dance between earth and sky that, like Sedona itself, remains both knowable and ineffable.

When you have love and good music...

Artwork by @lukeethornhill

Check this folky and rocker new single from Celestial Skies:

The latest single from Celestial Skies (aka British singer/songwriter Chris Selman), 'Reasons to be Optimistic' is an upbeat, summery, whimsical indie-pop song about searching for the positives in a world that feels increasingly dark and dystopian.

Recorded and mixed with a full live band and strings section at Salford's renowned Blueprint Studios, and mastered at the iconic Abbey Road.

It is taken from Celestial Skies' new 12-track studio album, a state-of-the-nation address titled 'Today's Malaise', which is released a week later, on 10th July 2026 (next friday!!)

Listen Reasons to be Optimistic

the lyrics are on point here

British indie-pop act Celestial Skies return with a brand-new single, ‘The Lost Art of Concentration’.

A witty slice of social commentary, this classic pop ballad is the lead single from forthcoming third studio album ‘Today’s Malaise’.

The album was recorded at Manchester’s renowned Blueprint Studios (home of Elbow) and mastered at the iconic Abbey Road.

About the single

‘The Lost Art of Concentration’ is a smart social commentary about mobile phone addiction and brain rot. “For the first time, I’ve written a sequel,” explains singer and songwriter Chris Selman. “A few years ago, I released a track called ‘The Lost Art of Conversation’, which observed how phones were interfering with our social lives: you would see people going for coffee, or out for dinner, but they wouldn’t be chatting - they would just be glued to their phones the whole time.”

“The new song takes this idea a step further,” Chris continues. “It’s about how phones have now encroached on every aspect of our lives, not just in a social setting. We’re distracted at work, or when we’re watching TV; checking our phones is the first thing we do when we wake up, and the last thing we do before bed. We don’t really control them anymore - they control us. The song is a humorous look at how we’re all becoming increasingly distracted, lazy and useless.”

About the new album

‘Today’s Malaise’ features 12 brand-new songs about the state of the world today. "It chronicles daily life in the mid-2020s,” explains Chris. “It’s a satire, so it’s not all doom and gloom, it’s written in a funny, observational comedy way - but it is shining a light on various problems or topical issues within society. So the single is about phone addiction and brain rot; there are songs on there about influencer culture, on the cost of living, on Ozempic and the beauty industry, on politics and culture wars, and so on.”

Chris recorded the album with six long-term musical collaborators at Manchester’s Blueprint Studio in the autumn of 2025.

Celestial Skies is the stage name of singer/songwriter Chris Selman, who has previously released music under the pseudonym Words & Noises and under his own name. His songs have been played by BBC 6Music and Channel 4, and have earned acclaim from the NME and The Guardian.

'Headlights' is the latest single to be taken from Celestial Skies' acclaimed album 'The Art of Breaking Hearts' which was released in May. 'Headlights' will receive a standalone single release on 12th September 2025.

What begins as a delicate, intimate acoustic ballad, grows into something quite spectacular as the full band arrangement, complete with a sweeping strings section, gradually builds around Chris' soulful vocal and intricate guitar work.

Songwriter Chris Selman said: "Each song on the album considers the art of dating and relationships from different perspectives. 'Headlights' is about looking past the little niggles, any blips you might have had, and instead focusing on the good in every day." The melodic sensibilities of the song, alongside the soulful delivery, have been likened to artists such as Damien Rice.

The song was recorded and mixed at Manchester's renowned Blueprint Studios - home of Elbow - and mastered at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. 'Headlights' sees Chris reuniting with long-term musical collaborators, including singer songwriter Kuill - who recently scored a UK top 40 album on the official download charts - who sings backing vocals on the track.

The gradual build of the band (from about 2:42 to 3:30) is probably the highlight

Stream Headlights:

With his second album release, The Art of Breaking Hearts, Celestial Skies burst onto our radar. Continue reading Discovery: Celestial Skies breaks hearts with new album

A stunning original nature watercolor of a celestial sky hand-painted woodland evening nighttime landscape art. There is a full moon in the sky and the stars shine brightly. Below is the silhouette of the woodland landscape on a 7 x 5-inch heavyweight paper. My celestial sky is matted with a white mat and a beautiful 10 x 8-inch white wood frame. I find this exquisite and makes this a must-have…