I began this series after being chosen as one of four Michigan artists to participate in Art from the Lakes, an art and exhibition exchange between Michigan and Shiga, Japan.
For this project, I have photographed the shadows of endangered and threatened plant species in Michigan and transferred the images onto paper made from invasive plant species. The shadows speak to the ephemeral nature of endangered plant species and their struggle to survive. They are transferred onto the paper using an alcohol gel process which results in the images appearing somewhat transparent and, because of the paper, irregular - symbolizing the complex relationship between invasive and native plant species.
The shadow images were taken at Welsch Nature Preserve, the W. J. Beal Botanical Gardens, the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, and various Michigan nature preserves. The invasive plant species were responsibly harvested from nature reserves and roadsides.
Foreshadowing was made possible in part by a donation from the Michigan Nature Association.
I'm happy to share my process for this series in a presentation to your group, class, or organization.
