Artist statement

Photography is a way
to move past my comfort
zone and redefine my
understanding
It allows me to explore
my curiosity about a subject
in a language
that is culturally familiar

I've chosen to work in a
largely monochromatic
palette because it forces a
shift in thinking
and feeling

As to subject matter,
I'm drawn to scenes that
express the quiet, calm,
and isolation that I've come
to know through living in the
Southwest

photographic process

black & white - Also called silver gelatin, this is considered to be "traditional" photography. This process uses commercially-produced paper that is coated with a silver gelatin emulsion. Prints are most often made by enlarging a negative onto the paper. The latent image is then developed in a series of chemical baths to produce the final photograph. Black and white prints may be toned, bleached or hand colored using a variety of media. Given proper handling and processing, black and white photographs can be archival.

cyanotype - One of the oldest photographic processes, cyanotype is an iron-based process which requires direct printing. The emulsion is mixed from the raw chemicals and coated by hand onto the support media. The negative is placed in direct contact with the emulsion and exposed to a strong UV light source. After processing and drying, the final photograph may be hand colored using a variety of media. Given proper handling and processing, cyanotypes can exceed a comparable black and white photograph's archival qualities. Unfortunately, toning or combining cyanotype with other processes may decrease the lifespan of a print.

van dyke brown - An historic process, van dyke brown is a combination of silver and iron. The emulsion is mixed from the raw chemicals and coated by hand onto the support media. The negative is then placed in direct contact with the emulsion and exposed to a strong UV light source. Because of the combination of metals used, van dyke brown prints can become unstable if not handled properly.

gum dichromate - Gum dichromate uses a chrome salt mixed with watercolor pigments and a natural gum. After mixing, the emulsion is hand coated onto the support media. The negative is placed in direct contact with the emulsion and exposed to a strong UV light source. Gum prints can be re-coated and exposed multiple times for a variety of effects. After processing and drying, gum prints may be hand colored using a variety of media. Gum prints should be handled with care to enhance their longevity.