Jonathan Reeve Price, The Rio Grande Wetlands: Trees at Dawn, Aluminum Print, 2019, Signed and numbered, verso.

So hard to see, the red-tailed hawk

xrays the swarm of swallows, zooms

down on the mourning dove, and tears

feather from throat to feast, ignoring

finch, warbler, mallard, and the arrogant

great heron, standing knee deep in the bog.

Out on the silvery surface, riffled

by the light breeze, sparked by new sun,

a long thin black muskrat

slaps tail,

flips, and disappears,

only its ripples

showing where it may have slipped

into its subterranean home.

In this patch of dry ground,

a temporary island

of tangled tree and vine,

the white-footed mouse

lifts one leaf,

perceives a seed,

grabs hold,

and, like a passing shadow

or a breeze lifting the debris,

zips irregularly into

the pile of deadfall, twig, and rot.

From the plane, the bosque is a green curve

next to a brown river,

but down on the damp dirt, at dawn,

the spotted skunk, the cottontail, and

the raccoon--each takes its own

separate, cautious trail

down to the water’s edge,

to sip and just as quickly retreat.

If fire comes today, who can flee? 

Who can fly or swim or crawl away?

In such smoke live many ghosts.

—Jonathan Reeve Price

About our Process

To make the print durable and archival, we infuse the image directly into the metal. Unlike an oil painting or a paper print, this shiny, hard surface resists scratches, dents, and cracks.

And it is waterproof. So you can hang it in a bathroom or kitchen, where other prints might risk getting damaged by an accidental splash.

Plus: You don't need to put glass in front of our image, or pay for a frame, as you must if you want to protect a paper print. We think that getting rid of the glass makes the picture more immediate. And removing the traditional layer of glass eliminates distracting glare. Bonus: If you need to pack the picture when you move, you don't have to worry about the glass breaking in the truck.

Hanging your Picture

Because the metal plate is rigid, with a raised square in back, you can hang the picture on a single nail. On the wall, the print has a vivid contemporary look.

BTW: In the past, we offered paper prints for the same price as the metal ones. But collectors told us that when they added a traditional frame with matting and protective glass, their total cost doubled. With our metal print, you avoid all these extra expenses. It’s ready to hang, right out of the box.

Provenance

To prove that you are the original owner of this piece, you may, at your option, provide us with a jpg of your face, to insert, in miniature, into the picture, near my signature. Your smile proves that your print is uniquely yours.

On the back of the print, we always attach a Certificate of Authenticity, containing          the date of purchase, the name of the artwork, a description, date, and my signature. A paper copy accompanies the print, for your files. This documentation helps you prove what museums call “the provenance,” that is, the chain of ownership, from me to you. That’s helpful when you choose to donate the picture to a museum, or sell it through a gallery.

If you prefer to be anonymous, just let us know, and you can opt out of these methods of authenticity. Just let us know your preference when you place your order.

Collecting is personal.

We want you to be able to talk with friends about your new picture. So the print comes with an artist’s statement. We look forward to hearing your impressions, if you choose to email us, at jonathanreeveprice at gmail dot com

Shipping

We package the print in tissue paper and extra layers of cardboard. We ship via FedEx or UPS, insured.

Please allow two weeks for printing, packaging, and shipping.

When you receive your order, please check to make sure that the picture is just what you are hoping for. If you have any problem with the picture, please contact me at jonathanreeveprice at gmail dot com. Within 14 days of delivery, we accept returns for a full refund.