The "Endangered" Series

The goal of this project is to create a series of Iris prints that reflect my recent research of man's industrial encroachment upon the endangered species, primarily of North America. The prints intend to increase the viewer's awareness of the plight of endangered species and to consider the long-term consequences of our human actions in destroying the ecosystem. I accomplish these aims by employing common icons that will prompt further intellectual reflection, and deliver a powerful ecological and social message.

We live in a climate where members of the logging and cattle industry and developers of ocean front communities oppose spotted owls, wolves, and green sea turtles, respectively. Consequently, we lose sight of our overriding ethical mandate to be stewards of the land. Greed for profit at all costs blinds the long-term view that preserving the earth's creatures and their habitats is more valuable than earning short-term "profits."

This print series expands on my previously exhibited work. My most recent project, the Ice Water series, an effort to remind the viewer that water is a limited resource, subtly conveys the beauty of water.

The Process:

The images are photographed and scanned into the computer and then manipulated using the graphics software program in an analogous fashion to traditional painting. Layers have been "painted" from background to foreground to achieve the desired depth, color and composition of the image. Finally, Iris prints are produced from the computer-enhanced images.