Travis Vermilye | Sporangia

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Sporangia is a series of images that reference the fruiting bodies (spore producing) of molds and slime molds. Each piece in the series has a physical artwork component in the form of a mixed media piece as well as a digital component in the form of limited edition NFTs on the Polygon blockchain, which is much less environmentally impactful than Ethereum-centric options. To date, there are six unique pieces that were created as a sub-series of three. Each of them are described below and links to the NFTs are provided.

A bit about my Process

My process begins with visual research either in the field using ultra macro photography or online using detailed image searches and readings, or both methods combined. I am interested in the tiny, surreal, and beautiful fruiting bodies of slime molds and miniature fungi. The forms they create seem otherworldly and fantastical to me. I am enamored with them.

After the research phase, I move to my 3D software package, Cinema 4D combined with X-Particles, and create a scene that references and honors the particular species I am looking at. The rendered digital image I create in Cinema 4D is then manipulated/adjusted in Photoshop for color, saturation, and contrast. This is the final stage for the NFT component of the project.

For the Physical pieces, I print the image on a large format inkjet printer using archival pigment-based inks. The image is printed in reverse (horizontally flipped) and transferred to a pre-treated surface that has been prepared with acrylic paints. Finally, I use acrylic paints and acrylic gel medium to add texture, fill in holes that did not transfer well, and finish the image to my satisfaction.

Spinellus Fusiger Hemitrichia Calyculata Ceratiomyxa Futiculosa

These are the second grouping of three created for this series.

The physical pieces are all 22" x 30" on 2" cradled Aquabord panels.