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Meet Hello Galena Artist: Richard Pearce

During May, Richard Pearce’s one-of-a-kind wildflower “photoscans” are featured at Hello Galena!, a regional artist co-op. Better than a walk in the woodland, Pearce’s vibrant images of spring wildflowers show every botanical detail. Stop in the shop at 121 N. Commerce Street in Galena to see the photos created with an ordinary office scanner.

Learn more about this innovative digital imaging technique and Pearce's efforts to catalog the “Flora of the Upper Mississippi” on his web site. Site visitors will find that ongoing work under "Upper Mississippi Wildflower Series" where 97 wildflower species are displayed online.

Since 2001, Pearce has imaged plants and insects that populate the tri-sate area. Because many wildflowers cannot be disturbed or picked, he devises methods for taking the scanner, computer, auxiliary lighting, and power source to the subjects. “I am still developing these ‘in situ’ techniques,” Pearce explains, “and expect that new generations of scanners will be so improved that magnification will increase to 50 or more times life size, and depth of field will allow ultra-sharp imaging of objects up to a few inches wide.”

People interested in Pearce's work may make a purchase at the Hello Galena! shop, see his collection online, or contact him via e-mail.

Hello Galena! is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization made up of more than 65 local artists. Their artwork and signature gift items are displayed at 121 N. Commerce Street, Galena, Ill. Artists staff the art-only shop. Check out our handy online map, store hours and directions.

For more information, call (815) 777-1448 during shop hours.