Art That's Out of This World

Alan L. Bean was one of the first men to walk on the moon with the Apollo 12 mission in 1969. It's been 40 years since his departure from our atmosphere to take those lunar footsteps, but he will soon be entering the alien realm of art.

Bean discovered a love for painting when he took a night class in watercolor at St. Mary's College in Maryland near where he was stationed.  Even though he says it did not come naturally to him at first, he liked it. Bean kept up with painting as a hobby and continued to develop his skill as a means to relax between NASA missions. Now, his work is set to show at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum starting July 16. He hopes that the 40th anniversary of the Apollo mission will bring more attention to his work that has already garnered notice from collectors with some of his paintings going for as much as $175,000.

According to Bean's website, he also hopes that his art will allow those who see it to "share in the great adventure."Source: New York Times