Galactic Core Rising Above Pactola

On July 18, 2023, I was driving home through the Black Hills after spending the day in the Southern Hills when I passed Pactola Reservoir and noticed just how brilliantly the Milky Way was showing above the lake. I pulled over, grabbed my camera and decided the drive home could wait.

Without realizing how perfectly the timing had lined up, I was photographing on the night of the New Moon, one of the darkest nights of the month. NASA highlighted July 2023 as prime viewing season for the Milky Way, with its bright galactic core visible toward the southern sky once darkness settled in. With no moonlight competing against the stars that night, the structure of our galaxy was able to stand out beautifully against the Black Hills sky.

In this long exposure, the Milky Way rises almost vertically above the dark ridgelines surrounding Pactola, its dense core revealing enormous concentrations of stars separated by the dark lanes of interstellar dust running through our galaxy. Below, the long exposure smooths the surface of the reservoir while a distant warm glow sits along the horizon.

Pactola is one of those places in the Black Hills that I've driven past countless times, but that night it looked completely different. What started as an unplanned stop on the way home became a reminder to pay attention to what's happening overhead.

• Classic Borderless Frameless Prints – Printed on museum-grade cotton rag paper in a lustre finish, perfect for custom framing. These have an archival life of 100 years in typical display conditions and 200 years in dark storage. This style does NOT come with a frame.

• Metal Print – Satin-finish vibrancy and vibrant color depth and detail; edge-to-edge imagery on aluminum with sleek, modern finish. Mounted on a 3/4" float mount with pre-cut hanging holes. This medium style does NOT come with a frame.

• Float Frame Canvas Pro – Museum-grade artistry and timeless presentation; printed on archival fine art canvas with exceptional color accuracy, depth, and texture. Each piece is hand-stretched and expertly mounted within a refined floating frame that creates the illusion of the image “suspended” inside the frame. Crafted in Italy, these canvases combine traditional craftsmanship with modern precision for unmatched quality and longevity. Ready to hang and built to last, this premium format brings warmth, dimension, and a gallery-level finish to any space.

• Each print:

  • Ships ready to display (canvas and metal only come ready to hang)

  • Printed using archival-quality materials for 100+ year longevity

📅 Shipping Timeline:
Please allow 2–6 weeks for production and delivery for float frame wall art. Please allow 2 weeks for metals and classic borderless prints for production and delivery. Each piece is made-to-order and carefully inspected for quality before shipping.

📐 Custom Sizing:
Custom sizes or special installation inquiries are welcome. Please contact Ellen directly for bespoke sizing, framing, or large-scale project options either through my contact page or emailing ellenscollection@gmail.com

🕯️ Care & Longevity:
Each piece is crafted using archival materials for 100+ years of display life. To preserve the integrity of your artwork, display it away from direct sunlight and high humidity. Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth as needed.