Magnolias, Like Love forthcoming publication

I photographed the variety of  magnolia trees at the uw arboretum for many years. The way I approach photography is that of a painter; beyond subject alone, I consider composition and color, but moreover I consider crafting photographs with a larger meaning or story. 

When I met David Fienberg at the Grand Marais Art Colony, his main concept behind what makes artwork valuable was that it had to have unexpected significance. This is the work of an abstract painter, this is the work of my photography.

This book is a series of experiences. Each piece is a work of art in and of itself, but when I merge the two pieces together in this orchestrated experience, they become something new all together. They become a new work of art, a new story with significance.

I worked to photograph magnolias in a way as to tell a story of significance and meaning. Over many years I visited the trees. I stood in the rain, the sun, the freezing rain, and the snow. I stood at day break, high noon, sunset and dusk. What did these magnolias have to say, what could I say with them? 

In this series I reveal relationships between magnolia photographs. Can you see beauty in them throughout all the weather? Can you see beauty in them throughout all their life stages? Can they signify hope and resilience in relation to one another?