MTC ART GALLERY

Flowers Revealed

Photos by Karen Preuss

Karen Preuss discovered the abstract beauty of flowers in her San Francisco back yard more than 10 years ago. When she photographed a black calla lily with a macro lens, an essence that transcended the flower’s basic form and structure was revealed. Since then, she has photographed scores of flowers — locally, in Hawaii, and further abroad. She sees flowers from an artist’s perspective, and seeks out the patterns inherent in nature.

“Once I start I have no idea where it’s going to take me,” muses Karen. “I get so involved with the possibilities of the form, the colors and the focus. When I shift focus from one part of the flower to another it creates a totally different design. I get so intrigued with what I see through the lens. It’s like immersing myself in an unfolding mystery.”

Karen exhibited her first abstract flower show six years ago at the Hop Kiln Winery in Healdsburg. She used film then, and has since switched to digital photography. This technology opened up the craft in new ways, providing instant feedback and allowing her to refine the composition.

Karen Preuss is a commercial photographer, specializing in location photography of people, with a photojournalistic style. Her clients include companies, nonprofit organizations, national and local magazines as well as events. She sees photography as a way of making positive social statements and promoting communication and understanding among people. After living and working in San Francisco for more than 25 years, Karen moved to Sonoma County in 2003. She spends as much time as she can in nature — her source of inspiration, pleasure and peace.

These photographs are printed on archival tree-free paper (90 percent bamboo, 10 percent cotton) with archival inks. Prints are available for sale at $400 each. To contact Karen and learn more about her work, please visit www.karenpreuss.com, or call 707-794-0341.

The photographs in this collection were printed by Eric Jannsen of Chromagraphics in Santa Rosa, Calif. Additionally, Karen would like to thank the following people for their support and assistance: Susan and Neil Silverman; Daya Ceglia; Marya Glass; and Trudi Unger.