I make fully handmade 1840s Adamson-era calotype paper negatives and ammonio-nitrate of silver (ANS) salt prints at a single vintage window, using only natural light and 19th-century chemistry to speak about grief and endurance.
I’ve written this article to explain the creative framework that drives my work and offer deeper insight into my creative process to art buyers, collectors, and curators.
My Creative Framework is the backbone of my work. It keeps my photographs honest, consistent, and rooted in meaning—not just appearance. Every piece I make is shaped by three pillars: Resilience, Transformation, and Connection.
This framework starts with a simple human truth: life is finite. Once we really feel that, we learn to endure. Over time, endurance teaches us to accept change. And as we move through change, we learn what matters most—our bonds with people, places, and time itself.
To keep these ideas grounded, I pair each pillar with specific metaphors—like Endurance in Nature, Cycles of Renewal, and Echoes of the Past. These metaphors help me explain what each artwork is truly about, and they guide my decisions from subject to composition to final presentation.
If you want to see what shaped this thinking, please visit my Sources Master Page for the books and research that inform my work.
I aim to create work that feels timeless—simple in form, rich in emotion, and grounded in both memory and place.
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Table of Contents
My Creative Framework
My Creative Framework is built on three pillars—Resilience, Transformation, and Connection—each representing core themes in my work.
- Resilience focuses on strength and endurance through time and adversity.
- Transformation reflects the inevitable change and evolution in nature and life.
- Connection emphasizes the deep bonds between people, places, and time.
By aligning each pillar with specific metaphors, such as Endurance in Nature or Cycles of Renewal, my framework helps me articulate the deeper meaning behind each piece of artwork, ensuring that my work consistently reflects these central themes.
Foundation of My Creative Framework
I chose Resilience, Transformation, and Connection as the pillars of my creative work because they reflect the profound human journey that begins with the awareness of our mortality. When we first come to understand the finite nature of life, we embark on a path of resilience—learning to endure, adapt, and persist in the face of life’s challenges.
Over time, this resilience shapes us, leading to a deeper acceptance of inevitable change. This acceptance marks a pivotal transformation in how we understand life, teaching us that change is not only unavoidable but essential for growth and meaning.
Ultimately, as we move through life’s transformations, we come to appreciate the true value of the bonds and connections we have nurtured with people, places, and experiences. It is through these connections that we find purpose, meaning, and peace. I believe this evolution—from resilience to transformation to connection—is a uniquely human experience that defines our existence and enriches the stories we tell and the art we create.
Please visit my Sources Master Page to explore the books and research articles that inform and inspire my creative projects.
My Creative Framework: Pillars and Metaphors
Pillar 1: Resilience
Resilience represents strength, endurance, and the ability to withstand the forces of time, nature, and change. This pillar is about survival, persistence, and fortitude.
- Metaphor: Endurance in Nature
Resilience is a testament to nature’s unwavering strength. It mirrors nature’s ability to withstand the trials of time and the elements, standing firm and resolute in the face of adversity. - Metaphor: Steadfastness
It reflects the enduring presence of flowers and trees—blooming, weathering, and renewing through nature’s cycles. Despite harsh conditions and the passage of time, their resilience and constancy stand firm, symbolizing strength and persistence in an ever-changing world. - Metaphor: Quiet Strength
It emphasizes the subtle, often unseen power of resilience in nature. Whether in a tree rooted against fierce winds or a flower blooming in barren soil, it reflects the quiet but profound ability to endure and thrive despite challenges.
Pillar 2: Transformation
Transformation speaks to the change and evolution that occur over time, both in nature and within the self. This pillar reflects the fluidity and impermanence of life.
- Metaphor: Cycles of Renewal
Captures the idea of nature’s cycles, like the changing seasons or the bloom and decay of a flower. It reflects how transformation is an essential and beautiful part of life’s natural rhythms. - Metaphor: Passage of Time
Symbolizes the gradual changes within nature. Whether it’s a tree’s growth rings or petals’ withering, transformation marks the inevitable shift from one state to another. - Metaphor: Metamorphosis
Reflects the profound changes that occur as a subject moves through different stages of existence. This could be the transformation of a landscape over the years or the evolution of a flower from bud to bloom to wither, each stage holding beauty.
Pillar 3: Connection
Connection represents the deep relationships between people, places, nature, and time. This pillar is about the bonds that transcend physical presence and endure across time and distance.
- Metaphor: Roots and Bonds
Reflects the connection between a subject and its environment, such as the tree roots anchoring it to the earth. This metaphor highlights the deep, enduring ties that bind us to the world around us. - Metaphor: Echoes of the Past
It represents the connection between nature’s present and past. Whether in the weathered bark of ancient trees or the persistent bloom of wildflowers in forgotten fields, these echoes remind us of nature’s enduring cycles and the lasting impact of what came before. - Metaphor: Harmony with Nature
Explores the interconnectedness of natural elements. Whether trees intertwining with vines or flowers flourishing in their native habitat, this metaphor highlights the balance, unity, and seamless connection within the natural world.
Discover the books and resources that inspire my work.
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