Bio

Although I always loved photography, it was not until 1994 in a workshop at Ghost Ranch down the road from Georgia O’Keefe’s former home in New Mexico that I became completely engrossed. From that point on, photography became a serious pursuit and a priority. In fact, I retired early from teaching college English in order to concentrate more fully on image-making. I am fortunate to have studied with remarkable teachers/mentors, over time, at Orange Coast College, University of California at Santa Cruz Extension, and, especially, the Santa Fe Workshops. In particular, I am grateful for the influence of Rick Steadry, Debbie Fleming Caffery, and Carlan Tapp.

Artist Statement

I am interested in photographing a variety of subjects ranging from portraits to urban nightscapes. In the process, I always hope to be surprised by what I can see with the camera and by what I can make of a print in its final rendering. I like experimenting with different light sources in a darkened room with table-top arrangements as well as doing night photography. I use both film and digital cameras: a Pentax 645, a Hasselblad, a Nikon D90, and a Leica Point&Shoot. My intent is to make images that will amuse and arrest the eye, that raise more questions than they answer, that find order (beauty) in a world of chaos, and that may, on some level, touch the heart.

Exhibits and Publications

Summer 2008. One of the White Poppy Series chosen for Watson Studio Gallery’s ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONS show; one image chosen for Watson’s AFTER LIFE show. Johnson City, Texas.

April 2007. Two images from the Echoes of Ovid series chosen for PhotoSPIVA, 2007; displayed in their gallery from April to June. Juror: John Paul Caponigro. Joplin, MO. One of the White Poppy Series accepted in Abstract     Exhibition at the Center for Fine Art Photography, Ft Collins, CO.

July 2006. Two photos chosen in juried exhibit held by Cal/Expo Sacramento, CA, Fine Arts Division. “Farrier” from FOR WANT OF A NAIL won Juror’s Award; Ghost Lily #3 won Award of Merit.

May 2005. The Ghost Lily Series chosen in juried competition to be part of Post Picasso, on-line gallery.

October 2004. Five B/W photos selected as part of Long Beach Arts “908 Exhibition.”

October 2003. Solo exhibit of “Personal Portraits.” Signal Hill Public Library. Signal Hill, CA.

Summer 1999. Two color images from Pt. Reyes Peninsula chosen in juried contest, California Coastal Commission; both images published in CCC’s calendar for 2000.

Spring 1998. First place PHOTOBOOK; Student Art Contest, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA.

Summer 1998. Photographed, wrote and produced, “Broken Waters: The Colorado and Its Canyon,” a multi-image documentary designed and coordinated at Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, CA.