Just for Fun
As an artist I still like to experiment and to play with imagery just for the fun of it. I especially enjoy the digital illustration techniques that I've developed over the past 15 years. The primary intent of the work in this gallery is to test the possibilities of Photoshop technique and to break away from the pure photographic imagery that over the years has come to define my work.
A mastery of the technical side of photography and Photoshop is vital to the creation of technically proficient work but it's nothing compared to the technical challenges that this type of illustrative style can present. Since a mediocre solution to image creation is not an option, I'm always pushing myself to be better and better at what I do.
I hope you enjoy this collection.
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The Mark of Great Art -
Views from The Maker's Mark Distillery
Loretto, KY
Please see my
"Past Exhibitions 2008". page on this site for further details on this project.
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The Frank G. Schmitt Series
This series of the Frank G. Schmitt building (circa 1890) in Henderson, KY was the result of a two hour shoot that I did for a group invitational exhibition. . .
"A View from a Digital World". For further information on this exhibit please check out this web site under
"Past Exhibitions".
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Ingress-Egress-Observation
The images presented here are a collection of images motivated in part by my interest in architecture and architectural design elements. The collection entitled
Ingress, Egress & Observation is an ongoing series generally unconnected by location but yet related by concept. Its about how doors, stairways, windows and subtitle entrances into landscape space can ultimately effect what happens in our life. the choices we make, what we do, what we think and what we become. Our destiny, and our fate can change in an instant, depending on which door we decide to enter or not enter, how we observe or are observed from the seemingly harmless pane of glass.
I am particularly drawn to the buildings that having given it's occupants it's best years, is left abandoned and forgotten, it's contributions to history and mankind forever lost. It is my hope that by photographing these buildings I will help preserve not only the simple beauty of the structure but the memory that it did exist and that at one time it was important . . . to someone.
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Bluegrass in the Park Festival Gallery
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The Shawneetown Bank Series
Shawneetown Bank, located in Old Shawneetown, Illinois is the oldest structure in the state of Illinois built specifically as a bank. The cornerstone was laid on August 3, 1839 and the four-story Greek Revival stone and brick structure opened for business in 1841.
The bank’s features were sculpted in stone. Massive Doric columns sculpted of gigantic stone sections rose from a sandstone foundation. The five columned portico was slightly unusual for Greek Revival buildings, which usually have an even number of columns. The unknown architect may have employed the odd number of columns to disguise the aesthetic problems created by the two front entrances. More than ten feet of carved cornice stone was placed atop the south wall. A metal gabled roof capped the structure.
A long flight of stone steps led to the banks portico and second floor lobby. Tall steel doors studded with iron bolts opened to the bank space. A steel vault was concealed behind twelve-foot-high doors. The lobby’s elegant appointments included molded plaster rosettes that served as anchors for the chandeliers. A hall next to the lobby had its own front door, and a large spiral staircase led to a large office above.
The bank closed its doors in 1942 and was deeded to the State of Illinois.
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The Shaker Series
The images in this gallery were taken at the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, KY on October 1-2, 2006. This visual series is just a part of a number of images from my
Blue Highway Tour '06 that were collected on a week long road trip on the backroads of Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.
A great deal of thanks goes to the Museum Director and staff who opened their doors and gave me total access to the wonderful buildings and grounds that is Pleasant Hill. I would be remiss if I did not mention and thank Georgia at the Centre Family Dwelling who took it upon herself to become my personal tour guide in many of these locations.
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The Alcatraz Series
Alcatraz Island was on my list of places that I wanted to photograph for many years. Even though tours on the island are self guided, there is only limited access in most areas and no access at all in others. As I suspected, those "No Access" areas generally turned out to be the most interesting visually. I wanted an unrestricted behind the scenes approach with sufficient time to do it right.
So many times, getting "the" shot is a matter of either being in the right place at the right time or knowing someone who can help facilitate the moment. In what surely could be defined as an act of synchronicity, Dianna Waggoner walked through my gallery door. Dianna who grew up in the town that I now call home is a retired staff writer for People magazine, and a lecturer on Alcatraz Island was the perfect facilitator for the Alcatraz project. Through her efforts on my behalf, I had the access I needed to shoot on the island and experience those areas that few people ever see. My sincere thanks to Dianna for getting this project off the ground.
Images are presented in both black and white and in color. Even though I am conflicted on which works better for some images, I think both show what incredible light, shadows and textures are present on the island. . . beauty from desolation. What I present here, is only a small part of the total imagery that I managed to capture in two short days, but they are some of my favorites.
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