about my art
about my art and technique
"This is what art should do for architecture: make it feel more humane, more real, more meaningful." — one client's description of my art.
Daniel Sroka creates abstract, dream-like images out of the simple elements of nature, such as leaves, sticks, flowers, and seeds. In his hands, these overlooked humble objects become sculptures of light, texture, and dimension that celebrate the physical and spiritual grace of nature. Learn more about Daniel.
inspiration
Most of my inspiration comes while walking through my neighborhood. My favorite time is right after a storm has blown through, scattering leaves and seeds everywhere. I aways have my eyes open for the overlooked details of nature -- fallen and wind-swept leaves, pine cones that have begun to decay, or flowers pushing through the cracks in the sidewalk.
discovery
As I walk, I'll stop and pick up any leaves, sticks and seeds that catch my eye. I carefully examine each fragile piece of nature, holding it to the light and looking for its hidden character or personality. Most get dropped back to the ground, but once and a while, one will reveal something unique. I save these, and bring them home.
exploration
My studio is filled with leaves, sticks, bark, and seeds, strewn over tables and stashed into boxes! I carefully explore each one with my camera. Sometimes the perfect photograph almost leaps out of the camera. But most of the time it is a long, slow journey, where I create hundreds of photographs that experiment with light, focus, and compositon.
creation
I am searching for that one photograph that is the perfect expression of the leaf's personality, that spark I first noticed on my walk. When I find it, I then continue to work with that photograph, spending days or weeks gently coaxing it into the final work of art.