"Beyond the Whispering Pines" by Julie CorderWinter Camellia

As some may know, I am originally from Columbia, South Carolina and even though I have lived in Charlotte, North Carolina for 8 years, I still have many friends, family, and colleagues that live just across the state line and about an hour down 1-77 South. I travel there often for both personal and professional reasons and this past winter, as I was attending an art exhibit at Over the Mantel Gallery, I had the pleasure of meeting Catherine Maker, who sits on the board of the Mid-Carolina Camellia Society. Catherine invited me to come take photographs of some winter camellia blooms being judged at the 66th Annual Winter Camellia Show at the SC Farmers Market-Phillips Market Center on February 10, 2018, so I did!

"Walker on Sunshine" by Julie CorderWinter Camellia Over 900 blooms were at the Phillips Market Center to be judged this past Saturday--stunning bursts of pinks and reds filled every corner of the room as the judging took place.  Camellia varieties ranged from Japonica Blooms, both unprotected and protected, Miniature Blooms, Sasanquas,and Local Blooms, all grown in Midland South Carolina counties. It was an honor to be invited by Mrs. Maker and to photograph these gorgeous blooms. I have since then created a series called "Carolina Camellias" and named them after streets I have lived on in Columbia. I hope to be invited back!

"Devereaux Blooms" by Julie CorderWinter Camellia

As today is Valentine's Day, I hope to share these photographs of winter camellias as a reminder of Nature's beauty, love and connection. Each of these photographs will be available on an 8x10 metal print, so contact me if you are interested in purchasing and visit Over the Mantel Gallery in Columbia or Coffey & Thompson Art Gallery in Charlotte to see more examples of my abstract florals printed on metal!