Passion Tendril Vessel

A tangle of tendrils from a very healthy passion flower vine is the subject of this manipulated photograph. They have a playful and fleshy quality that I loved. I photographed the image over a decade before I began playing with it for "Passion Tendril Vessel."
I work in the realm of the computer. I manipulate my photographs with software that allows me to create digital mirrors—a cross between a kaleidoscope and a funhouse with some advanced mathematics thrown in. I create layers and layers from a single photograph and then mask out the parts which are incorporated into the composited, finished piece.
Some of my mandala work has been very busy with layers upon layers and I felt each individual manipulation wasn't getting its due. So I set upon this piece, bearing in mind that I wanted to honor the tranquil beauty of the main design by keeping the process minimal.