Threatened Houghton's goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii) on reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) paper Photograph

My projects are created with a conceptual approach and are motivated by a story, message, or education element. In 2013, after being chosen to participate in Art from the Lakes, an art exchange program between Michigan and Shiga, Japan, I began working on a body of work titled Foreshadowing – Endangered and Threatened Plant Species. For this project, I photograph the shadows of Michigan’s endangered and threatened plant species and, using an alcohol gel process, transfer the shadow images onto paper I make from invasive plant species. The shadows speak to the ephemeral nature of endangered plant species and their struggle to survive. The alcohol gel transfers result in the images appearing somewhat transparent and, because of the paper, irregular. The joining of the shadows and invasive plant paper symbolizes the complex relationship between invasive and native plant species. The shadow images were taken at nature preserves throughout MI with assistance from botanists and various conservation organizations. The invasive species were responsibly harvested from nature preserves, roadsides, and with assistance from the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network and others. I’ve photographed over 50 state-listed plant species in Michigan and experimented with making paper from 14 invasive plant species. The frames are made by my husband, a Conservation Biologist at Michigan State University, from reclaimed cherry, oak, and walnut. The project was made possible in part by a donation from Michigan Nature Association and a portion of each print sale is donated to them. My mission for the project has been to create public awareness of Michigan's threatened and endangered plant species and the invasive species that threaten their habitat, with the goal of expanding the project to create prints that are specific to various ecosystems across the country. For more information, visit www.janekramer.com or https://bit.ly/3JUPxjC

Photography:Digital on Paper

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:6 W x 9 H x 0.1 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.