...what every true artist wants, really wants, is to be paid. Terry Pratchett, 1995 (Soul Music)
Q: Is this digital art?
A: Because our images show views of the real world, we consider our work to be digital photography. We use computers to digitize negatives, to capture images from the newest scanning electron microscopes, to add color to the colorless world of the electron beam, and in some cases to multiply images with reflections, rotations, and other techniques. But the original image remains the heart of our work.
::
Q: What are we seeing in these images?
A: We are looking through tiny windows at very small bits of nature, such as bits of rocks, fossils, seashells, and pollen grains. We have long been amazed that there is so much natural beauty in this 'hidden realm', and we try to present the best examples in our work.
::
Q: Are these pictures taken through a microscope?
A: They are images taken by a scanning electron microscope. They tend to be at higher magnifications or greater depth of field than can be achieved by a standard light microscope.
::
Q: Do you have a scanning electron microscope?
A: These instruments are a little too expensive for that, and require a lot of maintenance as well. We rent time on an instrument at Kansas State University.
::
Q: How long does it take to learn to use one?
A: We've each had about 20 hours of training, and many hours of supervised operation, before being allowed to run 'solo'. But that's just the operation of the instrument itself; it takes additional time to learn to prepare the material you plan to photograph.
::
Q: How long have you been using one?
A: George has been using scanning electron microscopes almost since their invention, in the 1960s. Mary Ann learned how to use them while still in high school.
::
Q: Are these natural colors?
A: The images are formed by electrons, not light, so they are initially 'black and white'. We add color using computer software.
::
Q: Are these prints signed?
A: We both sign every work we offer for sale. Except for the smallest prints (the 4" x 4"), we sign on the print surface using very soft pencil. We prefer to sign on dark backgrounds, to be unobtrusive, but the signatures are all visible in reflected light. The smallest prints are matted and framed, and we sign these on the mats.
::
Q: Are these in limited editions?
A: All the framed prints (except the matted 4" x 4") are in limited editions, with the limits ranging from 25 to 150. These are listed on the individual image pages (for an example, click on the thumbnail image at right).
::
Q: Why don't you mat the larger prints?
A: We feel that the direct juxtaposition of the image and the narrow black frame accentuates the dramatic presence and the 'cutting edge' aspects of our work.
::
Q: Why are some prints square and others not?
A: Some scanning electron microscopes give us square images, and some rectangular. In most cases, we composed the original for the best artistic effect, and we use as much as possible in the print.
::
Q: Will these fade or change color?
A: We have made every effort to create prints that will last a lifetime or more. Our framed images are supposed to be able to withstand a century of display (although probably not in direct sunlight). See archival quality of prints.
::
Q: Are these copyrighted?
A: Yes.
::
Q: Do you have backgrounds in art or photography?
A: George has been an avid photographer since the late 1940s, and has developed enough skill to have cover photos published by three leading scientific journals. Mary Ann has a Master of Fine Arts degree, and has won awards for her ceramics. She is also skilled in scientific photography. See artists' biography.
::
Q: Do you go to art fairs?
A: Mary Ann has participated in art fairs in ceramics for many years. Our joint effort in photography had its debut in the 2006 Cherry Creek Art Festival in Denver, and we will be attending select shows around the country in the future. See schedule of art fairs.
::
Q: Why don't you put larger images on your website?
A: Not everyone has a high-speed connection, so we have to keep to small file sizes. We'd love to show you our full-sized work at an art fair, or here in Manhattan, Kansas. If that's impractical, we'll be happy to discuss other options on the phone or by e-mail.
::
