About the Artist a not so brief history.
1972
I have struck out on my own. I am living in an old log cabin left over from the gold
rush days along the Columbia river in British Columbia. This is where and when my
love for nature begins. I wander through the lush, blackish green forests on a warm
summer day. The day ends while lounging on a sandy beach watching the clouds drift
by at the base of some large towering obsidian-like black spires in the middle of the river.
The black rock spires reflect the colors of the rainbow as spray washes across them.
Listening to and watching the emerald green waves and whitecaps break over
river rocks is especially beautiful and peaceful. I have many adventures here.
1975
I am in in the Army stationed in Germany. My interest in photography begins purely
by chance & by accident. I am cleaning out barracks that have not been used for some
time. I open a locker and see something hanging in a dark dusty corner. Light reflects
off metal, knobs and dials. What turns out to be a camera immediately captures my
imagination. I stand transfixed lost in thought contemplating what wondrous magical
things can be done with this device.
Over the next few years I spend most of my spare time capturing moments in Life on
film and learning how to process & print those moments. As I see invisible images
materialize on paper in a liquid bath the first few times I am thrilled, this is alchemy
and magic full of the promise I had imagined.
One day I am chosen to be Company photographer. Over time I am called up as
Battalion photographer and then moved on to Brigade photographer. Eventually I am
assigned to Seventh Army and to an assistant post photographer position, while also
being given responsibility for running the post photo lab where I teach other soldiers
photography. I spend my last couple years in Germany working almost exclusively as
a photographer. I am able to attend many special events and happenings as a result. I
have much fun during these years and yes I have a few adventures here also.
1978
After leaving the Military I realize I still have a strong interest in learning more
about photography. Rather than choosing to go to photography school I choose to work
in the photo industry to gain the knowledge I want. I work in commercial photo labs
for the next few years learning and refining my skill sets. This time spent sets me on the
path to becoming someone that can hopefully express intent and creativity in the
images captured rather than one that that simply takes pictures with a mechanical
device. Funny it never occurs to me to become a professional photographer per se as
what I am doing in photography has always been and remains a personal effort and
only meant to satisfy my own curiosity and interests.
1995
I am in the Yucatan peninsula working on one of several missions trips I participated in
during the late nineties to the Maya people. I find the Maya to be some of the most
welcoming kind folk I have ever met. During these missions trips we live in the villages
with the Maya and work along side them on various needed projects. In the mornings I
get up early and wander the Yucatan plains waiting to capture first light. The morning skies
are heavily saturated with moisture. These deep Indioblu droplets are almost large
enough to see as they hang in the air. The black shadows of gnarled old trees appear in
the mist as they march out of this sea of blue. Their stride seems intent, these ancient
old gentleman will once again reclaim what was once theirs.
2008
The Art of Photography challenges one constantly as there is always something new to
learn. That challenge can be useful!! Prior to 2008 my chosen subject matter is trees and all
forms of plant life I stumble across while wandering through forests and mountains likening
back to my youth. I have always loved nature since those early days in all it's unexpected
beauty. It is impossible to not see Gods hand in all of this mesmerizing grandeur.
After some medical issues in 2008 my perspectives on life suddenly change, the way I see things
change, what captures my imagination changes. As a result I unexpectedly develop an intense
interest in the beauty of landscapes. An interest that didn't really exist for me prior to those issues
go figure?? This unexpected interest in landscapes sends me down a rabbit hole bordering on
obsession, at least that's what has been suggested. I spend weeks in the field year after year
weathering sun, cold and storm in efforts of capturing and reproducing these fleeting majestic moments.
2012
I have been lied to, time and age are not my friends as they once professed they
were. Even so my pursuit of these moments continue all be it at a gradually slowing
pace. Strangely as these moments of beauty pass in time I am unexpectedly caught off
guard by an almost overwhelming sense of loss as if with a loved one who is no longer
there.
2017
One of my goals at this time in my life is to share the wonder that I find as I journey
through this beautiful world of ours. Please enjoy the sample galleries of my work. Let
your imagination cause you to wonder with me what is beyond that next rise or dune.
And who knows maybe just maybe we'll run into each other out there in the middle of
nowhere.
1972
I have struck out on my own. I am living in an old log cabin left over from the gold
rush days along the Columbia river in British Columbia. This is where and when my
love for nature begins. I wander through the lush, blackish green forests on a warm
summer day. The day ends while lounging on a sandy beach watching the clouds drift
by at the base of some large towering obsidian-like black spires in the middle of the river.
The black rock spires reflect the colors of the rainbow as spray washes across them.
Listening to and watching the emerald green waves and whitecaps break over
river rocks is especially beautiful and peaceful. I have many adventures here.
1975
I am in in the Army stationed in Germany. My interest in photography begins purely
by chance & by accident. I am cleaning out barracks that have not been used for some
time. I open a locker and see something hanging in a dark dusty corner. Light reflects
off metal, knobs and dials. What turns out to be a camera immediately captures my
imagination. I stand transfixed lost in thought contemplating what wondrous magical
things can be done with this device.
Over the next few years I spend most of my spare time capturing moments in Life on
film and learning how to process & print those moments. As I see invisible images
materialize on paper in a liquid bath the first few times I am thrilled, this is alchemy
and magic full of the promise I had imagined.
One day I am chosen to be Company photographer. Over time I am called up as
Battalion photographer and then moved on to Brigade photographer. Eventually I am
assigned to Seventh Army and to an assistant post photographer position, while also
being given responsibility for running the post photo lab where I teach other soldiers
photography. I spend my last couple years in Germany working almost exclusively as
a photographer. I am able to attend many special events and happenings as a result. I
have much fun during these years and yes I have a few adventures here also.
1978
After leaving the Military I realize I still have a strong interest in learning more
about photography. Rather than choosing to go to photography school I choose to work
in the photo industry to gain the knowledge I want. I work in commercial photo labs
for the next few years learning and refining my skill sets. This time spent sets me on the
path to becoming someone that can hopefully express intent and creativity in the
images captured rather than one that that simply takes pictures with a mechanical
device. Funny it never occurs to me to become a professional photographer per se as
what I am doing in photography has always been and remains a personal effort and
only meant to satisfy my own curiosity and interests.
1995
I am in the Yucatan peninsula working on one of several missions trips I participated in
during the late nineties to the Maya people. I find the Maya to be some of the most
welcoming kind folk I have ever met. During these missions trips we live in the villages
with the Maya and work along side them on various needed projects. In the mornings I
get up early and wander the Yucatan plains waiting to capture first light. The morning skies
are heavily saturated with moisture. These deep Indioblu droplets are almost large
enough to see as they hang in the air. The black shadows of gnarled old trees appear in
the mist as they march out of this sea of blue. Their stride seems intent, these ancient
old gentleman will once again reclaim what was once theirs.
2008
The Art of Photography challenges one constantly as there is always something new to
learn. That challenge can be useful!! Prior to 2008 my chosen subject matter is trees and all
forms of plant life I stumble across while wandering through forests and mountains likening
back to my youth. I have always loved nature since those early days in all it's unexpected
beauty. It is impossible to not see Gods hand in all of this mesmerizing grandeur.
After some medical issues in 2008 my perspectives on life suddenly change, the way I see things
change, what captures my imagination changes. As a result I unexpectedly develop an intense
interest in the beauty of landscapes. An interest that didn't really exist for me prior to those issues
go figure?? This unexpected interest in landscapes sends me down a rabbit hole bordering on
obsession, at least that's what has been suggested. I spend weeks in the field year after year
weathering sun, cold and storm in efforts of capturing and reproducing these fleeting majestic moments.
2012
I have been lied to, time and age are not my friends as they once professed they
were. Even so my pursuit of these moments continue all be it at a gradually slowing
pace. Strangely as these moments of beauty pass in time I am unexpectedly caught off
guard by an almost overwhelming sense of loss as if with a loved one who is no longer
there.
2017
One of my goals at this time in my life is to share the wonder that I find as I journey
through this beautiful world of ours. Please enjoy the sample galleries of my work. Let
your imagination cause you to wonder with me what is beyond that next rise or dune.
And who knows maybe just maybe we'll run into each other out there in the middle of
nowhere.