The Amber of the Moment (2020)

The Amber of the Moment

“The beauty of this day doesn't depend on its lasting forever.” ― Marty Rubin

This series of gold leaf images came about as a response to Covid-19. I had moments of fear because my husband is immunosuppressed. Thoughts of being isolated for an undefined period was so upsetting.

Like so many other people, connecting with nature during this time kept me going. I wandered my yard and neighborhood, settling into a daily routine of exploring the landscape. I tried to find something new each morning, and this really gave me a sense of control over my situation.

There were days of frustration, sadness, questioning, re-evaluating, and eventually peace (in some measure) and gratitude (in abundance) for having a home in which to shelter and plenty of food on the table.

The title of this collection, which was exhibited as a solo exhibition at eye lounge gallery (Phoenix, AZ), was inspired by a quote from the novel “Slaughterhouse Five” by Kurt Vonnegut: “Here we are, trapped in the amber of the moment. There is no why.”

I like this quote because photography is like amber – preserving what gets trapped inside the film or frame. The quote also speaks to the idea that there aren’t always answers or easy explanations for what happens in life.