California Poppies in Ultraviolet
From: $700
Mixed Media, 2021
30 x 40″
During my visit to Mount Tamalpais state park in April 2021, I was captivated by the sight of a vibrant poppy field just outside its borders. These beautiful flowers, known as Eschscholzia californica or California Poppies, hold the distinction of being the official state wildflower of California since 1903. I discovered that these delicate blooms have a fascinating behavior of closing each night or in the presence of dense fog, and their petals are known to easily fall off when plucked from the ground. Intrigued by the study of ultraviolet and gamma colors, I became curious about how they might manifest from a different perspective.
In this image, my intention was to depict the enchanting scene of poppies in bloom beneath the nocturnal embrace of California’s skies. I aimed to capture their ethereal beauty by using ultraviolet shades of blue and indigo, which simulate the colors that butterflies or bees might perceive as they interact with the grass and petals of each poppy. Through this exploration, I sought to offer a glimpse into the mysterious allure of nature’s palette and invite viewers to imagine the hidden wonders that unfold under the cover of night.
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