Process:
These pieces are a combination of digital technology and alternative processes. The images begin while scuba diving around the world when I find each of these animals. Then the figures are photographed in my studio and the images are compiled together in Photoshop. During this time, the 13x19 pieces of copper are corroded to bring the colors out, then sprayed with polyurethane to prevent the copper from corroding and changing further. I then coat the copper with Liquid Light in the darkroom, print the images created in Photoshop on transparency film, and finally print on the copper in the darkroom.

Meaning:
All of the ocean’s creatures are under many different forms of stress. They are dying from habitat destruction, climate change, over fishing, oil spills, pollution, erosion, pesticide run offs, and numerous other horrible environmental disasters caused by humans. Most scientists agree that these animals and reefs may become part of the Earth's past with-in many of our life times. These copper plates are displaying these animals from a future perspective of the ocean's animals that lived long ago. Often, many people have an eerie feeling when looking at historic photos from the 1800s because the people in the images have passed on. This work is an attempt to re-create that emotion. The human figure represents that this is the result of human presence and neglect of the underwater environment. The reflections in the copper reflect the viewer, showing their influence on the animals directly. The images are an imitation of the past; the copper is corroded to look old and the imagery is imitating old tin types of the early 1800s. They are a reference to the past, the beginnings of photography, surrealism, and if things continue to harm the reefs; the history of these animals that once existed in the oceans.