Ava’s Journey is a coffee table book celebrating the vibrant and intriguing Ava Moss. Organized into six visual themes, the emphasis of this collection is her natural beauty and vitality. All of the images are nudes in outdoor settings with prominent themes of water and wilderness of the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas (US).
These nudes are set outdoors with prominent themes of water and varied scenery and terrain of the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. With the recurring theme of water, she is presented at leisure in waterfalls, creeks, and floating. Lush vegetation is present throughout the book. The protagonist takes on a nymphlike role, appearing at home in the assortment of natural patterns. Maple leaves and lichen texture the scenes. Oak, hickory, and pine round out the selection of trees.
The waterfalls are surrounded by Paleozoic rocks that jut from the ground, and streams of water pour over the ledges and boulders. Flowing water embodies power and grace all at once. The rushing water provides a bluish-white accent to the backdrop of olive and emerald greens, and murky shadows rest under the wet rocks. The strength of the waterfall is a beautiful contrast to Ava’s soft and elegant gestures.
In a distinct motif, Ava displays her maverick spirit, riding and leading an Arabian horse through a pasture and near a pond, with an appearance from a black farm dog. With her steed, she produces a string of unexpected and exciting images.
In another setting, a train bridge and tracks interrupt a tract of the wilderness. In a display of agility, she balances on the rails. Though the tracks appear desolate, they also evoke the specter of danger and a sense of adventure. The tracks also inspire nostalgia for travelers of the past.
A final thesis, rendered in black and white, presents Ava’s uninhibited poses in a range of settings. The spirited and fervent nature of these last images is aesthetically grounded by the monochrome presentation.
A recurring idea is a sense of scale, both in dimension and time. Train tracks demonstrate the vastness of the landscape and spark the imagination as they disappear towards the horizon. The main subject is diminished amongst towering trees, boulders, and the horse. Other times, she is cocooned in tighter surroundings.
With the aspect of time, the present moment can be compared to the age of the trees, train tracks, or sedimentary rock. The forest and streams connect to decades and centuries gone by. Drops of water frozen in mid-air show us a series of instants.
Cascading Water
In a secluded spot off-trail, the waterfall imparts the peacefulness of being immersed in nature. One can imagine the all-consuming sound and the mist of water droplets filling the air. The area teems with growth in various shades of green that punctuate the shadows. Sunlight peeks through the dense foliage but cannot penetrate the dark recesses under the waterfall.
Creeks
Tranquil Ozark mountain creeks are a soothing sight. The light filtering through the leaves dances in a pattern of organic shapes, accenting the figure with flickering highlights. Small sections of each scene are dappled with light, while most of the backdrops contain the deep green of leaves, moss, and algae. Moss and vines add soft, organic textures among sharp rocks.
Tracks
These tracks, the rusted train trestle, and the banks of the river beneath them beckon this explorer. A slight anxiety pervades as our protagonist stands where locomotives will speed through. For decades, these tracks connected towns and travelers. There is a sense of silence, waiting for the sound of a train whistle at either the road crossing or the blind bend in the other direction.
In the River
Even shallow water has great visual depth. A range of colors and tones form a multitude of shapes. With the light coming from behind, Ava is rimmed with a halo and silhouetted against the brilliant reflection of the sky in the water. An acoustic sensation resonates from water rushing over rocks. It is a peaceful refuge and drinking source for animals at home nearby.
Floating
Surrounded by murky blue that fills the frame from edge to edge, Ava floats in tranquility, appearing weightless. The texture of the water blends with her skin, contrasting in color and shape. We get a sense of entering a different world, one where temperature, sound, and even one’s own weight are transformed.
Horse
Riding without a saddle, Ava displays her maverick spirit and their mutual trust. In some images, the horse’s mane and tail fan out energetically. The farm dog and the horse’s bond playfully complements Ava. The relationship between woman and animal is clear, as she leads and rides the docile creature through a pasture and near a pond.
About this Second Edition
This is the second edition of Ava’s Journey. There are several updates from the first edition, heavier paper being the most immediately noticeable. Additional pages allow for more images, two-page spreads, and swapping some images to achieve a greater variety of scenes and poses. Many images are unchanged from the first edition, while others received minor improvements to color balance and tonal range. Updates to the artist’s current technical and visual standards include a more consistent and distinctive layout.
