Artist's Statement I am fascinated by recent discoveries in genetic science. For example, that half the genes that exist in bananas exist in humans. Or, even more astounding, that human and fish genes are 90% identical. It seems to me that this relatedness works on a visual level, too. If you abstract any life form just a bit, itπs amazing how quickly it begins to visually evoke another. My work is about finding beauty in the common denominators. I use a type of lensless camera called a zone plate pinhole. It allows me to render life the way I see it – fleeting, sensual, and fragile. I shoot natural forms – mainly shells and dried mushrooms – lit, against a black backdrop. I print the images first in my own darkroom, then digitally on watercolor paper to achieve a soft, velvet quality.