Artist’s Statement

My images reflect my wide-ranging interests and the desire to find and capture visually compelling subjects.  These images represent scenes from the American West and Southwest, the southern Appalachian Mountains, and Texas state parks and natural areas.  With my photographs I try to capture a sense of history and the mysterious “spirit of place.” My goal is to reveal beauty and foster serenity that are so vital to our mental and spiritual well-being, but which we so often miss in our hurried and distracted lives. In doing so, my method is to highlight overlooked details, pique viewers’ curiosity, and encourage them to see and experience places anew.

My photographic technique is purposely and intentionally retro.  My chosen artistic medium is the black and white silver gelatin print, for its power and nuance.  I personally hand-process each print in a traditional wet darkroom from 4x5 inch, 6x6cm, and 35mm film negatives.  Before mounting on acid-free mat boards, the prints are toned in selenium for archival protection and visual effect.  Using this labor-intensive, but time-honored method gives me a more tangible connection with my materials, and gives each print a look not easily duplicated by computers.

Black and white photographs have a unique power all their own.  The name, “black and white,” is actually a misnomer; there are few pure blacks or pure whites.  With the color removed, everything becomes myriad shades of gray; some being lighter, and others existing as darkened shades or deep shadows.  Despite the lack of color, I still have a wide range of tones and shapes and patterns with which to work.  In this respect, the lack of color actually helps me concentrate on composition, and whatever I intend the viewer to see.

I hope viewers will find my images approachable, and feel invited to enjoy a measure of peace and serenity with them. I also hope viewers will find their curiosity piqued, and be inspired to learn more about places or objects in the photographs. Finally, I would like to share a blessing of the Navajo people that roughly translated, bids “May you walk in beauty.”