Traces (2004-2010)
Traces is my ongoing visual journal, documenting transcendent moments I encounter in nature. I print these images as Orotones—traditional silver darkroom prints made on glass, gilded with gold, and housed in a patinated copper-nickel case. This intensive hand-made process produces images of breathtaking glow, depth and translucence reminiscent of the fleeting moments we see the divine through the sheer veil of temporal existence.
Summer 2005, Luna Moth, Rising
Winter 2009, K-9 Snow Print
Summer 2009, Millipede Image
Summer 2008, Plum Line
Summer 2008, 4-Leaf
Spring 2008, Cloaked
Winter 2008, Prism Heart
Spring 2008, Snow Shadow
Autumn 2007, Hatched on Prayers
Summer 2006, Flocking
Summer 2005, Snakeskin on Stone
Winter 2004, She's Hurt
Summer 2005, Objects in Mirror
Winter 2005, Zen Tree
Autumn 2004, Zen Moth
Winter 2004, Grave Stone, Leaf and a Letter
Summer 2004, Tree Face
Summer 2004, I Heart
Summer 2004, Bird of Prey
Spring 2004, Wishbone Stick
Spring 2004, Life Lines
Winter 2004, Ice Prints
Spring 2004, Horizon
“…Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.” -Annie Dillard
ARTIST STATEMENT: TRACES
I strive to understand the More-than-Human-World and our place within it. Through an ongoing photographic journal, Traces, I document everyday encounters in nature, where I find even the simplest forms visibly manifest larger truths of existence. Among these things I’m most drawn to intimate details of life and death that often go unnoticed, brief moments revealing temporality and transcendence held in balance, residual marks left by time and things unseen, and incidental beauty and irony resulting from human intervention with the land. These and other natural phenomena are visual signs that can help us understand, adopt and maintain a balanced human place within the larger universe. Like Zen Kōans, interpreting them traces invisible threads that tie fallen leaves to the tree.
PROCESS & EDITION INFORMATION:
Traces images are available as Orotone prints in an edition of 3. I create these hand-crafted works of art in my custom darkroom. My process is based on the original historic 1800’s process, but uses a refined approach and the addition of real gold creating an image with breathtaking radiance and depth.
I first coat fine glass with silver nitrate and other chemicals, and allow it to cure. I then contact print a digital negative onto the sensitized plate using an enlarger, and develop it in my darkroom using specialized chemicals and exacting methods. Once cured, I hand-apply 12-Karat white Italian gold, or 18-Karat yellow gold to the image. To gild the plate, I both hand-brushed to allow visible brushstrokes in the gold, as well as a historic Italian means of mirror making called Verre Églomisé, where the gold is floated on plate soaked in wet gelatin. The gilded plate is then sealed with varnish, and a copper plate is soldered to the back with a small copper foil rim. The case is then patinated and a cleat added for hanging. The plate can hang directly on the wall, floated in a frame, or placed on a stand.
Traces images are also available licensed as digital prints on fine art paper.