New Orleans, LA - Wilting lilies that mimic paper thin skin, red fading petals reminiscent of fiery lipstick - the floral arrangements featured in Les Schmidt's new photographs appear almost human in their range of expression. Which is exactly what the New Orleans photographer intended with his Dorothy Jean series.

"These images were originally inspired by the passing of my mother two years ago," Schmidt explained. "In her later years she dried and pressed flowers as a hobby. When she died, I took home a single flower from an arrangement, then pressed and photographed it to preserve her memory."

The project grew to encompass images that embody various phases and qualities of human life, with many of the works representing people close to the artist. Schmidt collected and arranged these bouquets, maintaining them for sometimes months at a time.

Schmidt said, "I found that the flowers' colors, shapes, and stages of decay strongly suggested the personalities or physical conditions of people I knew and cared for."

"This series is also about rituals, and how we depend on them for comfort. The process of selecting and 'nurturing' these flowers became very ceremonial, akin to caring for a loved one."

Les Schmidt's photography career has spanned over 15 years, ranging in subject from austere coastal landscapes, to New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, to the precisely controlled tabletop shots of "Dorothy Jean." Included in many notable collections, his work has been shown at venues across the country and exhibited for an extended period in the Warehouse Arts District of New Orleans.

During this solo exhibition, Schmidt's work will occupy the entire display area of the Guy Lyman Fine Art gallery. "We're thrilled to have these striking large-scale images on our walls," said Guy Lyman. "We invite visitors to view these poignant works and consider them in the context of their own lives."

The photographs will be presented during Art for Art's Sake on Saturday, October 3rd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Guy Lyman Fine Art, 3645 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA, 70115. Refreshments will be served.

Schmidt's archival prints will remain on view throughout the month of October.

For more information, please contact Gallery Manager Lindsey Roussel at (504) 899-4687 or info ( @ ) guylymanfineart dot com dot

http://www.guylymanfineart.com