Critical Mass 10 Submission

I’ve always wanted to present my photography using acrylic mounting since I first saw iconic photography master Peter Lik’s large-format acrylic mounts in his gallery in Las Vegas. So, I splurged on the printing costs this year in hopes of offering a piece with more volume and depth.

I’m excited to have my art displayed at this year’s Critical Mass held at Artspace in downtown Shreveport with 100 other works produced by a community of Visual and Literary artists in Northwest Louisiana.

My piece is a 36”x20” archival pigment acrylic mount print for $1,150.

Artist Statement

I believe the Source of wonder courts us with the beauty of flowers. When I look into the face of a flower, its beauty fills me with awe. I want to capture that moment forever to delight in it and share it with others. So it's no wonder that I'm attracted to flower photography.

One day this past November, I took home a bouquet of sunflowers hoping to make an image that revealed the flame-like petals that caught my eye. I entered my studio days later to see sunlight from the large windows illuminated the back of the flowers. Without hesitation, I grabbed my camera with the macro lens and began the photo session. I fell into the familiar glorious flow where time no longer existed.

During this photo session, I found the image that would become “Sun in the Sunflower.”

NASA satellite images of the sun inspired the processing of this piece. So I told myself to put the sun in this sunflower. I increased the petals’ deep orange colors and warm tones. And I add a variation of light and dark to the center of the flower to give it more depth and subtly mimic sun flares.

I hope you can feel it.

This image was screaming to be animated!