I don't remember when I got the idea to use the emptied poppy pods like this. It was probably when looking at the vase I had filled with some of the better ones. But there was a pile of others outside that were appropriate for trimming (I wanted to keep the ones in the vase intact) and weren't yet weather damaged (on the porch as they were) or already in the compost.
Both of these pieces were pretty loosey goosey in approach. I didn't concern myself for the shifting around of plant matter as I moved the board outside into the sun and in fact figured it would be fun if they did so. I'm just trying to get back in the swing of the practice.
The vertical print has poppy pods and dried mugwort flower stalks. The horizontal has a Queen Anne's lace flower in the center. Each print seems to resonate with my own personal ancestry (Eastern European) and nature/witchy sensibilities, on account of the botanicals used. Poppies always remind me of the cakes my mom made, that her mom made and that I still make (although not often since I live alone!). I think of fields in the places where my ancestors lived, filled with these flowers. Mugwort is just such a magical and healing herb, it seemed very happy to sit with the poppies. Queen Anne's lace? I think of the various queens in the Tarot. Granted, I connect a lot of things to a lot of things...but that works for me.
It's good to be doing this again, even if I have to let momentum build and push me through. There are minor moments of inspiration...something is better than nothing! Oh, and in other news, there's another set of Holga negatives drying. It's been a goal of mine to dedicate more of my days to art making. I haven't given it/my efforts at it, the value it deserves. I'm working on that.
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