GIFT FROM THE SEA | Niki Butcher

Sanibel Island © 1983

Photography Story I came from California, where the ocean roars onto the shore with heavy waves that crush seashells before they roll up onto the beach. When I first came to Florida, I was overwhelmed by the shells found along the shore. I was amazed the gentle waves of Florida could offer up such beautiful, pristine gifts for us to enjoy. The Art of Hand Painting Black and White Photographs Niki prints her images on fiber-base black and white mat surface paper in the darkroom, then using Q-tips and cotton balls, she applies a thin coat of oil paint over the surface allowing the image to gently be seen through the oil paint. Archival Print Making Niki’s open edition gicleé artwork is printed on Sunset Bright Velvet Rag matte finish paper using eight archival inks. A state-of-the-art Epson Stylus Pro printer creates deep, rich dark values that hold subtle detail in the shadows as well as bright vivid colors that are truly tropical.