SERIES: FLOWER FAE
LOCATION: Nature scenes photographed along sidewalks, in flowerbeds, and other publicly accessible locations in Lexington, Kentucky. Subject created in 3D.
PROJECT DATES: April 2024 - Ongoing
ABOUT THIS SERIES:
This series is an experiment in finding beauty in the mundane, about overlaying imagination on reality, and combining nature with technology.
I used my smart phone camera to take pictures while walking around Lexington, where I live. Many of the flowers were found on wildflower paths, in flower pots, and small beds of plants easily overlooked. Honestly smartphones take amazing images these days. It gave me freedom to take pictures whenever I wanted so that I could focus on finding those little beautiful hidden worlds.
For me, the concept of fairy creatures hiding in flowers goes back to my early childhood. I think it started with an animated story that I barely remember. I only have the vaguest recollection of a single scene about a girl that gave life to a flower fairy from a single tear drop, (if you know the story please tell me.) I looked for flower fairies everywhere. I wanted to revisit that childlike wonder that sees worlds of beauty in the tiniest places.
Each of the images has it's own little story about growth, leaning on the idea of flowers and plants. I look at the image of the flowers or plants and think of how a fairy would inhabit them. What would they be saying with their gestures and expressions. And then I would create them.
The characters in the scenes are created in 3D software that I use for creating game characters, giving me the ability to pose them at exact angles with intricate expressions, meaningful gestures, and precise lighting. This makes the composite more believable.
I love this series and will continue making them.
