One of several works donated by EVAN's partner Artur Melika (@arturmelika on Instagram.)
 
We are racing through the plains, driving up to North Dakota to visit the school that will eventually become a queer oasis: just two boys, a makeshift car bed, and a dream. With every hour passing, the distance between human activity becomes scarcer. The temperature drops, and pockets of snow become more evident. Wind farms, grain silos, and moos populate the bare midwestern horizon. Evan is fast asleep after a long day, his head resting on the foggy window as the stereo blares queer-coded electro. I look out at this piece of land we call home, which is often under-appreciated and overlooked. It has a quiet beauty. It’s serene and elegant. Growing up here, I’ve seen this landscape many times. With nothing but time and the open road ahead, I began to memorize what was in front of me. The subtle slopes, cool overcast color, little man-made shapes out in the distance — filled with lives and stories. As soon as we returned home, I pulled out some paper and recorded the loose images imprinted in my mind. 
 
 Medium: Acrylic Paint and Pastel
Size: 9x9 in.