This piece is my first print of 2025! I love my state of California and its natural landscapes. I think revering and helping in small ways to protect these landscapes and their inhabitants is something I aim to do each day through art and actions. This January amidst the wildfires in Southern California I felt like I wanted to do a little more celebration of some of the things that make this state so beautiful. I went with a couple simple elements to express that. The majestic redwoods and our bright as ever poppies.
The original photo for this piece was taken in Henry Cowell Start Park near Santa Cruz, but most redwood forest that I visit will have similar scenes. The poppies were an inspiration from outside the forest itself. It really feels as if Santa Cruz can grow poppies all year round!
Below are some photos from the print in progress. There are many layers below the photo layer that I print and then there are layers on top of that. The right most photo shows the piece before I added the poppies.
Redwood forests are truly magical places in my book. Trying to capture that magic in photography or art is always an effort that comes short, but I still give it a go.
The print is available here! Fortitude Founded in Tranquillity