My career began as an Art Director, in advertising, mostly working on beauty accounts. At my first ad agency job, I was partnered with a very talented writer, Bill. We were a creative team, and became very close friends. During our professional partnership I collected art books as inspiration for each assignment we were given. One year, as a gift, Bill surprised me with a hand-embosser to use on the first page of my books, marking its ownership. It read “Library of John Mark Dixon, JMD”. It was a thoughtful and elegant gesture.

After working together for 5 years, Bill announced he wanted to pursue a dream; Open a flower business, which he had cleverly named “Billy Buds.” Sadly, life had other plans for Bill. Shortly thereafter, he became ill. He was in his early 30s, successful and seemingly healthy. I expected him to recover, return to work and fulfill that dream. But, one evening, Bill’s boyfriend called with the heart-breaking news that Bill had died.

In the fall of 2017 after a successful and fulfilling career, I left the world of beauty and advertising. I had the honor of working with some of the most talented photographers in the world, and had gathered knowledge of photography through these experiences. It helps that I’m still a good Art Director. I picked up a camera. Flowers became my preference. Followed by an unlikely fascination with corn. After a year, there were some images worthy of printing.

Rather than signing my photographic prints, I choose to emboss them with my gift from Bill. Over a period of 30 years, moving with me from job to job, apartment to house, city to country, this hand-embosser has remained in my possession. Its subtle impression is in memory of a gifted man who loved flowers.