The Forest Floor
an observation of the unique ecology and brilliance of the Forest understory

Based on the unique ecology and brilliance of the forest understory of the Pacific Northwest, the Nurse Log series is a set of 5 photographs made from scans along a fallen log while it returns to the soil as it cradles new life. The Nurse Log series is part of the series 'The Forest Floor', an ongoing observation and witness to the brilliance of an active forest, celebrating the smallest of natural efforts and champions.

By way of observation, experimentation, and slow investigation in the field, the imagery in 'The Forest Floor' references the mysterious activity of forested ecosystems layered with a sense of place. I approach a space like an amateur biologist; observing, sketching, noting, photographing specimens, and scanning the scene with a flatbed scanner. Once I have ‘collected’ the scene, I begin the process of visually telling the story of the ecology, place, and my own personal connection to the Pacific Northwest landscape.

This project was supported, in part, by a grant from 4Culture/King County Lodging Tax. A special thank you to Rockland Woods Artist Residency for the time and space to begin this work. All images are editioned and available.