I resumed shooting Nudes in Water on Cape Cod in 1988, 7 years after
doing the Greek series. I found the kettle ponds in the National
Seashore to be perfect settings. Lily pas and water hyacinths
replaced the rocks of Greece as counterpoints to the figure, and the
softer, variable New England light challenged me to expand my visual
vocabulary. Thus emerged the blackwater nudes and the animus/ anima
series.
I consider these images most successful when their "objective"
reality is countered with several levels of ambiguity and mystery, so
that what they seem to be is stronger than what they are. Water and
light are often my allies in reaching this goal of illusion.
Together, they create reflections and shadows that transform the body
and reed forms; they illuminate transparent underwater worlds or
bring into being metallic crucibles of life.
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