An Emerald Ascent

About this piece

Glossy pink bracts rise in overlapping tiers, their pale edges tracing the sculptural form of a torch ginger bloom. A green gecko stretches diagonally across the lower flower, its finely textured skin and splayed toes contrasting with the broad, luminous surfaces beneath it.

The story

I framed the flower for its extravagant layers, but the gecko gave the image its quiet center. Against that expanse of pink, its green back seemed almost borrowed from the foliage beyond. I kept the surrounding leaves soft, letting the small feet and bright markings hold my attention. Through the lens, the bloom became a landscape of ridges and ledges, with a single creature poised upon its steep surface.