From Andy Goldsworthy to Klaus Enrique Gerdes, contemporary artists have been overtly incorporating natural elements into their work, underscoring their versatility, mutability, and a bit of surprise.
With my simply titled series PORTRAITS IN THE SNOW, I have been influenced by the North at its coldest—with its endless snow and scarce color. By and large, most of the supplies I used were local: cedar and fir (legally purchased, fear not!) and shed orange tamarack needles; a variety of dry, but relentless wild weeds peeking through several feet of snow on the mountain; multicolored lake rocks; coal from the fire place; found animal skulls; and, of course, snow and ice.
Here again, gone tomorrow: actually, even less so! The portraits only existed long enough to be photographed, getting recycled into other portraits or discarded altogether, letting nature reclaim its materials. Working in sub-freezing temperatures without mittens—necessary to create intricate detailing and a decent sense of likeness—surely motivated me to act fast!
These images of Buck-Tick are just one part of my series. (Click the images to view the gallery.)
