Preserved Plants, the process

Preserved Plants
Preserved plants are different than what grows all around us. Once preserved and mounted, a form and character that isn’t visually available to us when we’re surrounded by them becomes apparent. The grace, complexity, wildness and sometimes the strangeness are clear in these preserved, mounted pieces.

A new appreciation for nature and organic form occurs. It's not immediatly apparent that the medium is plant material, and the appreciation that emerges is unintentional.

The Process
The preservation process used ensures that finished pieces will last. The same methods used by botanists to preserve plants for scientific study and DNA preservation have been modified to create lasting works of art. The process has been adapted so there’s low environmental impact.

There are variations, of course, but botanists depend on a preservation process that depends primarily on effective dehydration. Once moisture is completely removed, decomposition does not and cannot occur. Color change happens over time and with exposure to light, but the form doesn’t change.

Although insects don’t care much for things that aren’t decaying (and if there’s no moisture, there’s no decay), a low impact pest control is used.

Preserved plants aren’t changed or modified in any way to look alive. Color changes occur naturally. Sometimes the greenness stays, but usually other colors emerge: chartruese, olive, green-gray, brown-black. As color becomes less familiar, the form becomes clearer. It’s unexpected and delightful.

Mounted on botanical paper with either a special adhesive designed specifically for plant use or sewn with archival quality floss, this method results in preserved plants that will last indefinitely, when properly cared for.

Care for Preserved Plants
Preserved plants as art will last when properly cared for. Treat them as you would any piece of fine art:
- Keep out of direct sunlight.
- Avoid rooms with high humidity.
- Frame only with acid-free mat board.
- Use a U.V. filtering glass.

Brigid Greene
last updated 08/04






	Preserved Plants Preserved plants are different than what grows all around us. Once preserved and mounted, a form and character that isn’t visually available to us when we’re surrounded by them becomes apparent. The grace, complexity, wildness and sometimes the strangeness are clear in these preserved, mounted pieces. A new appreciation for nature and organic form occurs. It's not immediatly apparent that the medium is plant material, and the appreciation that emerges is unintentional. The Process The preservation process used ensures that finished pieces will last. The same methods used by botanists to preserve plants for scientific study and DNA preservation have been modified to create lasting works of art. The process has been adapted so there’s low environmental impact. There are variations, of course, but botanists depend on a preservation process that depends primarily on effective dehydration. Once moisture is completely removed, decomposition does not and cannot occur. Color change happens over time and with exposure to light, but the form doesn’t change. Although insects don’t care much for things that aren’t decaying (and if there’s no moisture, there’s no decay), a low impact pest control is used. Preserved plants aren’t changed or modified in any way to look alive. Color changes occur naturally. Sometimes the greenness stays, but usually other colors emerge: chartruese, olive, green-gray, brown-black. As color becomes less familiar, the form becomes clearer. It’s unexpected and delightful. Mounted on botanical paper with either a special adhesive designed specifically for plant use or sewn with archival quality floss, this method results in preserved plants that will last indefinitely, when properly cared for. Care for Preserved Plants Preserved plants as art will last when properly cared for. Treat them as you would any piece of fine art: - Keep out of direct sunlight. - Avoid rooms with high humidity. - Frame only with acid-free mat board. - Use a U.V. filtering glass. Brigid Greene last updated 08/04		Palo Verde (Arizona, 2004)