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Studio Q Photography

Exploring Human Behavior and Death Anxiety Through Art
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THE PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS

Prickly pear fruit and nopales were used by American Indians to treat a variety of physical ailments. Nopales in particular were split and applied to open wounds on both humans and animals. Roasted nopales were held on the side of the neck or below the chin to treat rheumatism and mumps. Spines from prickly pear pads were commonly used as needles by many tribes. The deep reds and purples of the tunas were extracted as juice and used to dye textiles.

The Prickly Pear Cactus

Quinn Jacobson July 8, 2022

I see the flora portion of this work taking shape. I work on it about 30 hours a week. Not including research and reading. It’s the best “job” I’ve ever had.

There’s still a lot to do. The weather is so nice here, I struggle between working in the studio and getting out to do so more remote work. I worry about making images on Tava-Kaavi - Sun Mountain (the colonized name is Pikes Peak) or at the Garden of the Gods. I’m not interested in the “chocolate box” photographs. In fact, I’ve had a lot of success staying right here in my backyard so to speak. It’s difficult for me to do "traditional” work. I’ve said it a thousand times, I’m not interested in the standard landscape image. They bore me to death - so tiresome. I need to resolve these issues and making plates is how I resolve the problem. All in time!

A digital snap of the cactus.

In Sun Mountain
← Bear-Grass Yucca and Prairie SageThe Making of the Foxtail Barley Plate →

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