Artist Statement
This book examines the growth cycle of an Opuntia Cactus from my garden. The leaves of the book are the end cycle of Opuntia pads that decayed on the plant. The book spine is a trunk section of the plant. The small paintings illustrate the time period of the plant’s existence.
Materials & Technique
Gathered Opuntia Cactus skeletons and trunk section, hand dyed lace ribbon, vellum, acrylic, PVA, color pens, ink, tyvek, waxed linen. Opuntia pads were adhered to painted tyvek for additional strength. Coptic and long stitch binding.
About Helen Shafer Garcia
Helen Shafer Garcia is a painter and mixed media, book arts, ceramics artist, as well as an award winning illustrator. Helen’s watercolor illustrations have graced the cover brochures, garden articles and advertisements in numerous international resorts and magazines for more than 30 years. Awards include four San Diego Press Club First Place Awards of Excellence in Illustration for San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles Magazine. Her works and articles have been published in numerous magazines. Helen holds a BA degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in illustration and ceramics. She is a signature member of the San Diego Watercolor Society and teaches watercolor and mixed media workshops internationally and across the US.