Sterk’s process starts with the physical movement of paint on paper, capturing the organic, unpredictable nature of light and gas in deep space. She then refines these original watercolor washes using digital tools, introducing clean lines and geometric motifs that cut through the atmospheric haze. The result is a hybrid vision that feels both ancient and technological, grounding the vastness of astronomy in a tactile, hand-painted reality.

The composition uses a portrait orientation to suggest a vertical descent into the unknown, leading the eye through varying intensities of blue and shadow. By balancing the soft textures of the medium with structured design elements, the work explores the interconnectedness of the universe, turning the distant mysteries of the night sky into an intimate, navigable adventure.