Rhonda C. R. Burton

I view each day as an opportunity to create. The beauty of my garden and surroundings are a source of endless inspiration, season after season. I am fascinated with every little detail: the flower petals or subtle color change of succulent leaves, the way the sun casts intricate shadows on the sidewalk, or the textures of tree barks. I take photographs of these small miracles we pass by each day with very little notice. I crop the pictures tight or shoot close-ups so that the subject becomes the focal point of the composition. My current body of work consists of hand embellished photographic images printed on cold-pressed paper. I use color pencils or pastels to strengthen or soften certain areas I want the viewer to focus on and often collage handmade rice paper onto the photograph. This process conveys a painterly feel to each piece and allows me to interact with the surface. A sense of calm and peace emanates from my work, as I express the glory of nature.