Eco printing made its way into my life so gently that I hardly noticed at first. I already had my creative life full, with photography and ceramics. I did not seek another passion, but when Shelter in Place happened, I found myself printing every day. I suspect my fondness for this method of printing developed from the fact that It allows for a deeper connection with nature. I am observing more closely the plants around me, recognizing changes that take place every day and having a tactile experience of various textures. I enjoy going on walks to find leaves and learn the plant names.
I get in the zone when I prepare the paper and lay out the plant material on a sheet of handmade Japanese paper. This is far from the final image! Once the bundles are in the pot, I try not to watch it boil, but I anticipate the unwrapping like a kid anticipates opening presents at Christmas.
When the prints are unwrapped and laid out to dry, the transformation continues: certain colors fade, others appear, new shapes come through as the moisture dissipates. The imprints of the plants in combination with the textures of paper create unexpected reliefs. Each created print is completely unique. I am not looking for a literal depiction of the plants, I hope to see and reveal something less obvious and more mysterious about them and impart something of myself as a co-creator.
