Bloeiende takken, Spiraea Arguta c. 1900 - 1940

Richard Tepe made this photograph of Spiraea Arguta, or blooming branches, in a dark room with light, chemistry and paper. I wonder if he was a gardener, or just loved spring? There's such a delicate balance of dark and light here. It’s like a quiet conversation between the shadows and those tiny, brilliant flowers. I wonder if he labored over the composition? Those blooming branches reach up, a burst of energy, while a few dark leaves interrupt the flow, like a counterpoint in a song. I’m thinking about other artists who’ve found endless inspiration in nature – Georgia O’Keeffe and her flowers, maybe. It’s funny how artists keep returning to the same subjects, but each one sees something new. They help me to see something new too.