Willow Springs

Willow Springs, Illinois is located off LaGrange Road and I-55. It is a heavily wooded terrain filled with swamps, lakes, and indigenous species. The Willow Springs Project was started in 2005 as I entered my junior year of college. Growing up in the neighboring town of Hickory Hills allowed me to hike and explore all of its areas filled with lakes, trees, flowers, and animals. Over time I grew close to specific locations in the forest and would return to see growth increase monthly. There is one area of the forest that empowered me with energy and passion. This location would become my main focus in documenting seasonal change, and more importantly the growth and change of one tree. I would return at least once a month throughout the span of 5 years, and continue to return to this day. Every time a new season would approach, I would document the site with 5 vertical panoramas that would cover 180 degrees of forest that stood before me, while making the same tree the main center focus. Inside the project, you will find a piece entitled "Forever", this is the single tree that was documented in all four seasons and therefore portraying its two faces: summer and winter. The project has been an amazing experience that has showed me the importance of time and space and how both nature and humans continually reach a full circle. Some may die but there will always be a new born, a full circle. The essence of life.