Checking in- Nov 2025

Its a blustery Tuesday in early November, here in beautiful and moody Portland, OR. Portland remains to be a place where one goes to be and find acceptance. The hindsight recollection on that matter is the fact that acceptance must first begin, well, within. I sit here now in my little studio in the Kenton neighborhood, reflecting on the last 3 summers of print-making. I've been pretty quiet on social media, posting rarely. There has been a disconnect between wanting to share my work and having that avenue be the way that I share it. As the world and online platforms continue to morph, how does one remain authentic? All the while not comparing ourselves to others. This is my place of current reflection.

I have amassed quite a collection of spore prints, many of which are framed. Collecting and preserving prints, whatever the cost or method may be. I have been fortunate enough to travel to remote places with my culinary career, places where I desire to forage mushrooms. The summer of 2024 warranted me a stream-lined print preservation method, allowing for the prints to be protected during transport. Given the remote nature of these locations, packaging and shipping is always a huge factor.

Spores on paper are extremely delicate. So the challenge comes from the need to protect the spore surface, without the use of chemical fixatives. I am grateful to the team at Quadro Frames, for their simple clip frame system has proven to be sturdy, reliable and economical. Finding the correct "spacer" for the frames, one that allowed for a buffer between each print, has finally been refined.  A double matting with acid-free material allows for the prints to be protected, as well as be viewed as an artistic form.