The States of Grace series comprises painterly photographs to illuminate the sinuous lines of nature’s organic forms, preserving that mystical moment of beauty that is often overlooked. I photograph intuitively - what I feel, as much as what I see. Informed by a background in oil painting and art history, I portray an interpretation, rather than representation, seeking balance between the real and imagined. Images are captured, layered and printed digitally with ink on vellum. White gold is then hand-applied to the back, imparting a luminous sheen to the surface of the print, changing with the position of the viewer and ambient light. Civilizations prize precious metals for their beauty and sanctity. Leafing highlights the value of my subjects with the spirituality of gold. Within the edition, the print may differ in color or texture, and, as the effect of gilding varies, each of these limited edition prints is unique.