Artist Statement

Question: “Are you a full time artist?”

I truly believe that we all have the potential to become full time artists.  We may not produce art that hangs on walls in the traditional sense, but we all create something every day.  We have the ability to create positive environments with our actions in both work and play.  There is an art to that.

We are all artists in some regard since we were created in the image and likeness of our creator.  Everyone needs a creative outlet in their life.  What is art anyhow?  Maybe it is composing a song or choreographing a dance or designing a home or writing a story or telling that story.  Photographing what our Creator has created is my creative outlet.  I believe all artistic inspiration comes from the same source and is all equally important to humanity.

When I am not traveling, I am fixing up homes in my hometown which I take equal pride in making beautiful.

Question: “What compels you to pursue outdoor photography?”

Photography to me is something concrete that I can take from what would otherwise be a very abstract journey across the landscape.  Pictures help me share my internalized experiences with others.  There are only so many synonyms for “beautiful.”

Landscape photography is the perfect combination of sport and art.  It is a physical challenge as well as a mental one.  (And sometimes it simply challenges my patience and endurance as I wait with hopeless optimism for the light to change.)

Traveling thousands of miles to get to a location, zipping open a tent well before sunrise, hiking in below freezing weather and carrying an unreasonable amount of extra weight in camera gear is all part of the fun.  The mental challenge, however, is convincing myself all that effort is worth enduring for capturing one brief moment on film.

Life is of course all about the journey and not the destination.  I enjoy everything leading up to capturing an image as much as the actual image.

Question: “Did you ever study art in school?”

Aside from recess and lunch, my favorite classes growing up were fine art and art appreciation. (Not simply because they were the easiest.)  I actually enjoyed drawing portraits with pencils and baking crooked mugs in a kiln and learning about oil paintings from the 1500’s.  I always found it fascinating and puzzling at the same time to discover what other people considered to be “art.”

Is there objectivity in art? That was never thoroughly explained in school.  Is a particular work of art good because others say it is, or, is it a good work of art simply because it is?  Maybe attempting to answer that question becomes too philosophical or even theological for school, but interesting nonetheless.  I save that thought for when I drive for ten hours down I-10 West with nothing but fence posts in sight.  Perfect opportunity for some quality abstract contemplation time.

I do know you can have two photographers on the same mountain at the same time with the same camera gear and get two different results.  If art is indeed objective, that means one of the two will end up with a photograph having better subject matter, composition and lighting.  In the end though, does the photograph matter knowing it will disappear one day?  The winner is the one who better internalizes their experience on that mountain with the creator of it and returns home with a better account of adventure to share with their family and friends.  Actually, the real winner is the one who does not get eaten by the bear.

My Style:

• BRIGHT
• COLORFUL
• VIBRANT

My Style Requires:

Clients:

• Business Owners
• Home Owners
• Web Designers
• Graphic Designers