This is volume 3 of my Solitude Solo Travel series of Art Zines. There is a full expression of this Reflection and Totem set of photographs that started as a geographical panoramic of my mom’s lake.

When I was pulling the proof sheets to start stitching the images together, I saw something completely different. In monochrome the contrast and mirror images started to show all kinds of creatures. This prompted me to investigate totems and our animal guides a little bit more.

With our animal guides, we see what we need in our lives at that moment. If it’s information and wisdom you might see Owls. Stoic strength and bravery it may be bears. I fell in love with the lore and the idea that you might see something different as you move through your life points.

Not everyone is in the mood for an abstract point of view. I have found that people’s reactions to this series has crossed the full range. Some get quite agitated at this presentation, some get a bit of vertigo as the switch is made to status quo. Some see music in the sideways images. This fascinates me.

Many people have invested in these zines to share with someone who can’t travel anymore and to share a quiet moment with me in the places I go. The feedback, of all kinds, that I get from others who experience these magazines is quite satisfying. The conversations that come from them are gold.