BOTANICAL PRINTS

Initially, I selected the specimens from Jennifer Johnson’s Hobe Sound gardens when I was invited to use the Polaroid 20x24 camera for the first time there. After photographing them, I transferred the images to watercolor sheets in her studio. In successive years, specimens came from orchid and camellia growers throughout Florida, and from my personal garden. I carried them to New York to photograph at the Polaroid 20x24 Studio. I loved this meticulous process, with its texture of painting, fine detail of etching, and subtle coloration of antique botanical prints, which perfectly conveyed the wonder of the myriad forms of Florida flora.

Original 20 x 24" Polaroid Transfers on 30 x 22" Fabriano Sheets

Nepenthes coccinea(Pitcher Plant), 1997 — *Nepenthes coccinea*
(Pitcher Plant), 1997

Cyperus isodadus(Miniature Papyrus), 1999 — *Cyperus isodadus*
(Miniature Papyrus), 1999

Dolichos lablab(Purple Bean Vine), 1999 — *Dolichos lablab*
(Purple Bean Vine), 1999

Brugmansia sanguinea(Angel's Trumpet), 1999 — *Brugmansia sanguinea*
(Angel's Trumpet), 1999

Spathodea campanulata(African Tulip), 1999 — *Spathodea campanulata*
(African Tulip), 1999

Cocoloba uvifera(Seagrape Leaf), 1999 — *Cocoloba uvifera*
(Seagrape Leaf), 1999

Rincinus communis(Castor Oil Plant), 1997 — *Rincinus communis*
(Castor Oil Plant), 1997

Callicarpa americana(Beauty Berry), 2001 — *Callicarpa americana*
(Beauty Berry), 2001

Hyacinthus orientalis(Hyacinth), 2002 — *Hyacinthus orientalis*
(Hyacinth), 2002

Medinilla cummingii(Cumming's Medinilla), 2003 — *Medinilla cummingii*
(Cumming's Medinilla), 2003

Musa beccarii(Wild Banana), 2003 — *Musa beccarii*
(Wild Banana), 2003

Codiaeum sp.(Oak Leaf Croton), 2002 — *Codiaeum sp.*
(Oak Leaf Croton), 2002

Ginkgo biloba(Maidenhair Tree), 2001 — *Ginkgo biloba*
(Maidenhair Tree), 2001

Heliconia sp.(False Bird of Paradise), 2002 — *Heliconia sp.*
(False Bird of Paradise), 2002

Odontobrassium(Kenneth Bivin), 2003 — *Odontobrassium*
(Kenneth Bivin), 2003

Phalaenopsis(Nigillian Night), 2003 — *Phalaenopsis*
(Nigillian Night), 2003

Aesclepias syriaca(Common Milkweed), 2002 — *Aesclepias syriaca*
(Common Milkweed), 2002

Dendrobium sp.(Dyed Dendrobium Orchid), 2002 — *Dendrobium sp.*
(Dyed Dendrobium Orchid), 2002

Zingiber spectabilis(Ruffled Ginger), 2003 — *Zingiber spectabilis*
(Ruffled Ginger), 2003

Oncidium varicosum(Butterfly Orchid), 2002 — *Oncidium varicosum*
(Butterfly Orchid), 2002

Stapelia giganteum(Starfish Flower, Carrion Flower), 2001 — *Stapelia giganteum*
(Starfish Flower, Carrion Flower), 2001

Miltassia(Charles M. Fitch), 2003 — *Miltassia*
(Charles M. Fitch), 2003

Degarmoara(Flying High Stars & Bars), 2003 — *Degarmoara*
(Flying High Stars & Bars), 2003

Polaroid Dye Transfer Process

The camera, though measuring five feet in height and weighing 235 pounds, operates like any camera using Polaroid materials. The 20 x 24” film is exposed, and then promptly pulled apart. The large negative sheet is then placed face down and pressed onto a full sheet of water-soaked watercolor paper that quickly absorbs and retains the dyes. I allow the negative to sit on the paper for several minutes, and then slowly and carefully peel it away. Rewetting the paper renders the dyes more malleable. I work into the image by hand to remove and mute some portions of the image, thus enhancing the subject.