Mary Fran Cardamone

MF Cardamone's mixed media works on paper playfully record the life histories of plants throughout the world. Her plant specimens are collected and combined with images and words that modernize the traditions of specimen mounting and botanical illustration. The pieces are printed in small editions on 100% rag watercolor paper using archival inks and individually embellished by hand.

The idea for her work began to take shape around the same time she started planning her native Pennsylvania wildlife habitat garden. While researching and collecting native plants for the garden, she became fascinated by their life histories and medicinal uses. "I wanted to document the information and create work that would be both entertaining and educational. I see my work as modern day Herbals." Her inspiration and influences are varied and combine a lot of different interests such as: Medieval Herbals and manuscripts, ecology, folklore, ethnic and vintage designs, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Pop Art and Surrealism.

"I’m fascinated by plants and the relationship we have with nature. I'm in awe of their mystery, beauty and the power they have to sustain and heal."