Tafoni 0623 - Limited Edition of 20 Print

I am an east coaster - born and bred. One of the most compelling facets of my recent transition to the north west coast has been the exploration of the vast natural specimens and topography found in this piece of our planet. One day I serendipitously landed at Bean Hollow State Beach off Hwy1, just past Pescadero.Making my way down moderately steep stairs from the parking lot to the beach laiden with camera and lenses, I became visually overwhelmed by the stunning landscape before me! Massive rock formations with holes, cracks and crevices, colors and surfaces like something you’d imagine seeing on another planet. The Tafoni rock formations were bathed in multitudes of tiny smooth stones of many colors that settled into every surface, crack, and creavase not occupied. It was visually remarkable. A visceral creative rush bolted through me. Fortunately, I was there to meet a client for a photo shoot, so I had more than just my iphone in tow and was able to capture a series of raw digital images to work with. Digital compositions consisting of multiple layers of color and tafoni images began to emerge. My process includes many elements that have inspired personal work over the course of my artistic exploration and maturity; natural objects, aged natural and urban surfaces, color, form, composition, decay, history and poetry. I feel as though mother nature has generously offered me an opportunity to interact with one of her most beautiful creations. It is my treasure. Tafoni rock formations occur when salt collects on the surface of permeable rocks, usually by ocean waves, mist, or wind. As the saltwater evaporates, it leaves the salt behind. The salt works its way into the rock pores, where it crystallizes and pushes the pores open further. After a significant amount of time, the weathering becomes noticeable in the form of tafoni. Some researchers believe that, in addition to salt weathering, mollusks and other marine life may also initiate tafoni. They do this by creating small holes in the rocky coastlines, where they attach themselves and extract minerals. The hole grows larger over time until eventually the mollusk, or other organism, drops off. The hole is then left to the elements, like wind, rain, and tidal water. These work together to create the tafoni formations.