EARLY MORNING LIGHT | Niki Butcher

Big Cypress National Preserve © 2006

Photographic Story As the creation of a new day begins in the swamp and the world comes to life, there is a stirring in my heart and a need to share this soft beauty with others. I wanted to express an image that reflected my feelings. I took the main photo early in the morning at Movie Dome in Everglades National Park and merged it with two other images to create the final image. The Art of Hand Painting Black and White Photographs Photographed with a Sony digital camera and instead of oil painting with Q-tips and cotton balls, Niki was able to paint using Photoshop. Changing from the old-fashioned way of doing her art, to the new ‘fashion’ of using technology was challenging, but she’s enjoying getting back to her own personal expression. 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.