Ghosts of the Mid-Century

Art in the blood is liable to take the strangest forms.
– Sherlock Holmes

 

Abstract Expressionism was a hard sell for me. Philosophically, I totally get it. But my tastes run more in line with the documentary style and realism that preceded and followed it. Even as my palate has broadened over time, I would never have considered creating abstract art, particularly as a photographer. Not ever. But a couple of years ago, a switch in my brain must have been tripped. I fell in with a group of photographers who opened my eyes to the possibilities of abstract photography. It crept in and now it often eclipses the other work that I do. As I was walking around a museum not so very long ago, it suddenly struck me hard that much of what I’m doing now owes a lot to the Abstract Expressionist movement. And oddly, I don’t mind. I will probably never like De Kooning or swoon over Pollock, but the evolution of my work and the divergence from straightforward images has been exciting and for now, is a rich and happy occupation. Meanwhile…

 

I really do practice good knife safety. Nevertheless, between cooking, camping, and creating art, I am bound to end up with cuts and abrasions (band aids are my friends). While sharpening knives, I was hit by sudden inspiration for a series of images. So rarely does what I see in my head actually come out in the camera as I envisioned. But sometimes, my aim is true…