Creating art in space 

A New Zealander is to be the first professional artist to travel to space in order to draw it.

South Island artist Scott has paid for a ticket on Virgin Galactic's first flight and has just returned from training in the United States.

"Being an artist it's always good to gather inspiration in other ways," says Scott.

And creating art in space is the ultimate inspiration.

It was a portfolio of Scott's artwork, some of it of space, that persuaded Virgin Galactic to reserve a place for him as a founding member.

Exactly how Scott is going to be able to sketch is being worked out. His suit will be modified to allow for more hand movement.

The hardest part will probably be the re-entry. "It's about two and a half thousand miles an hour so that's a bit of momentum. Not sure if I can hold a pencil that steady," he adds.

Scott has about a year to perfect his technique before he takes art to a whole new level.

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