Nancy Ridenour, artist   

Giclee Prints Available

The term “giclee print” indicates an elevated level of print technology that provides better color accuracy than more common color ink printers. The prints are typically created using 8-12 color ink-jet printers. One advantage to this is the quality and durability of the production. The other is that the artist can print the picture in many different sizes from the original digital file. I print with Archival Ink, using an Epson 3800 9 color ink jet printer and high quality acid free Fine Art Paper. Each image can be printed in any desired size.

Click image for sizes and pricing.

The beauty of the lotus flower and the elegance of the lotus plant fascinate me. While living and working in Laos, 1965-1970, the provincial governor gave me a bouquet of lotus buds. Several years ago, I noticed them growing at the Farmer’s Market and purchased six plants. The pond in my yard had just been re-dug, so I planted the Lotus along the edge of the pond. Eight years later, the plants have spread throughout the pond and number about 500.

The Lotus is very common in Asia, but is also hardy in Ithaca. The first bloom of the season comes during early July. The first leaves to appear on the pond are flat on the surface, much like those of a water lily. Later, an upright leaf emerges and can grow over five feet above the bottom of the pond. Next to emerge is the bud that grows in size until it is ready to bloom. The flower itself lasts a few days, closing at night and opening again in the morning.

In the center of the flower, the male stamens surround the female structure. After fertilization, the center enlarges and eventually becomes the well-recognized lotus pod. It is green until totally ripe, at which time it becomes brown. The holes in the surface display the seeds that can develop into the next generation of plants.

I have taken pictures of the lotus from every angle and time of day. The most photogenic times are in the morning or late afternoon when you can get soft backing lighting on the flower. The leaves are also magnificent to photograph as well as to use as templates for cement molds. They measure one to two feet in diameter, with the stem located in the center of the leaf. This allows them to sway gracefully in a breeze.

After the digital images are imported, I can manipulate them with Photoshop. With various tools in the program, I extract parts of flowers,

Lotus Montages